Chapter 193: Information New York Jin Ye Movement

“Hehe, I haven’t asked—what brings you two to school today?”

“We were invited,” Ed replied. “Schools often call us—or church priests—to check for demonic manifestations.”

“Oh? Have you noticed anything?”

Ed shook his head. “No. Though demonic activity has increased slightly compared to previous years, most are calmed by church masses—especially here at MIT, a prestigious institution.”

“The Church has many methods, even capable of dispersing demons and alerting nearby churches.”

As he spoke, Ed’s gaze unconsciously flickered toward Louis.

Tsk.

This guy still thinks I’m a demon.

It’s a subtle warning.

Louis rolled his eyes. “To be honest, I’ve always been fascinated by the supernatural. I plan to write a novel on the subject someday. Since I’ve had the fortune to meet you two, could I hear about your adventures over the years?”

“I’ll pay, of course.”

Louis smiled faintly and pulled out an anonymous bank card holding ten thousand U.S. dollars.

Ed and Luo Lin exchanged a glance.

After a brief hesitation, Ed took the card.

Ten thousand dollars isn’t small change—and it’s just a simple favor.

Then Ed began recounting the supernatural incidents he and Luo Lin had encountered over the years. They had started early, forming their duo nearly fifteen years ago.

In those fifteen years, they’d faced countless cases: from ordinary ghosts to demons seeking souls, from vampires trapped in darkness to bloodthirsty Wendigos in the forests…

There was the cunning of ghosts, the power of demons, the treachery of human hearts, and the ferocity of otherworldly beings.

Their experiences were extraordinary—just slightly polished, they’d make a solid adventure novel.

Moreover.

Though Ed had deliberately obscured many details for confidentiality, the fragments he revealed still delighted Louis, who genuinely pulled out paper and pen to record every word.

Writing a novel was real. Gathering intelligence was real too.

The information Ed provided included:

Ghosts vary by type, typically determined by their manner of death, occupation, and lingering obsessions in life.

Special beings, upon death, become uniquely potent: a wizard’s ghost loses most abilities but remains stronger than ordinary ghosts, sometimes gaining unique powers.

The total number of demons is fixed. Though hellish deities command dozens of legions, those are merely minor demons, demon-bloods, and ghosts—numerous, endlessly regenerated. True demons never increase in number; one dies, only then does another emerge—like a fixed rank.

Deities still leave traces in this age, but mostly minor gods. Correspondingly, priests’ power has greatly declined; true great deities have vanished entirely.

The most numerous remaining entities are vampires and ghouls. Vampires split into three bloodlines, each led by someone calling himself Dracula—truth unknown.

The world holds strange, unexplained artifacts, mostly tied to gods or demons.

Due to America’s vast, sparsely populated lands and early massacres of indigenous peoples, some regions harbor native evil deities…

…

As Louis recorded each detail, his understanding of this world’s hidden truths deepened.

He also confirmed the timeline.

The Warrens hadn’t yet begun their haunting investigations.

Because the Annabelle doll hadn’t reached them yet.

But it shouldn’t be long—after all, that old red high priest had warned him not to go near such dolls.

Annabelle’s appearance was easy to recognize.

“Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. I’m sure this will make an excellent adventure novel,” Louis said, organizing his notes with a smile.

“By the way, here’s my card. When the novel is published, I’ll call you both.”

“Also, to thank you for your help—if you ever run into trouble, I’d be happy to assist.”

Ed accepted the card with a smile but gave no direct reply to Louis’s offer of help—only thanks.

“Bye. Talk again soon.”

The couple bid Louis farewell and left the café, returning to their car.

Watching the car drive off, Louis noted the license plate and sent it to his second uncle’s phone.

Come on—if he didn’t monitor them, how would he know when their plot started? As for why he didn’t use Primordial Spirit power to mark them like he did the protagonist of the Skin Inn case—it was because of their uniqueness. Better to avoid mystical methods entirely.

After putting his phone away, Louis examined the notes in his hand. At that moment, Haley and Mary, who had sat silently at another table, approached.

“Looks like you got a lot out of it?”

“Mm. Learned a lot of detailed information.”

He’d come out to see off Yulunca and the others—never expected to run into the Warrens and gain such knowledge.

He had good luck indeed.

Clearly, it was David’s bad luck that had dragged him down—not his own fault.

Louis suddenly felt a surge of confidence.

When he got back, he’d tell David—make him face reality!

“Louis? It’s still early. Let’s go explore nearby.”

“Alright.”

Coming out meant not being busy all the time—you needed rest. Besides, he hadn’t seen Mary in so long; they should stroll together, nurture their bond.

And let Haley interact better with Mary.

…

Meanwhile.

The Warrens exhaled deeply as they drove away.

Though they’d spent over a decade handling cases, most involved ghosts and ordinary monsters. High-risk entities like demons were rare.

Yet this harmless-looking boy, in Luo Lin’s spiritual sight, was terrifying.

Listen to his answers.

Seal souls?

Seal them inside his belly?

And using souls to cultivate witchcraft—hah…

He’s clearly devouring souls!

Everyone knows demons feed on souls. Even if he isn’t a demon, he’s no good. That blood glow and wailing weren’t faked.

“He’s dangerous—just like the demons we’ve faced before. And not a manifestation—he’s the true body!”

Due to inability to descend, demons seek food in human form, their power severely restricted—only at ghost level.

But once their true body appears, they become a genuine entity far above ghosts.

A true high-risk entity!

“Don’t overthink it. The cross didn’t react. He’s not a demon—just connected to one. Dangerous, yes, but if he means us no harm, whatever he is, ignore him.”

As he’d said before, the Church no longer has the medieval power to suppress everything. Most times, unless someone asks for help or there’s clear demonic involvement, they prefer to avoid trouble.

That’s why he didn’t report to the Church.

“Mm.”

The couple gripped each other’s hands tightly.

Yet, despite what he said…

On Ed’s chest, the business card remained—never discarded.

…

After enjoying two days of leisure, Louis prepared to head to New York.

Haley was starting school, MIT’s classes were officially beginning—he had no reason to stay; lingering would only waste time.

But before leaving, he had a question: “So, Frank’s gone?”

Mary sighed. “Yes. I only found out from his note. Apparently, it’s because of a woman? Frank’s never married all these years—now he’s finally found someone he cares about. I should be happy.”

“But he shouldn’t just leave without saying a word.”

“Enough. If Frank’s fine, don’t worry.”

After soothing her, Mary looked at Louis. “You’re leaving too?”

Louis met her gaze and nodded.

“Tsk. Go ahead. Everyone leaves. Annoying.”

Mary spoke insincerely.

He brushed his fingers across her soft cheek. “Don’t worry. Once you graduate, we won’t be apart anymore.”

It sounded a bit sentimental—but where were they?

Open, free America!

Even though Mary was still a girl, she didn’t blush—only punched his chest in annoyance. But the next second, Louis grabbed her, pulling her into his arms.

Feeling the heat of his chest and the warmth of his breath on her cheek, Mary gently closed her eyes.

Her toes slightly lifted.

…

Two days later.

New York.

Louis stepped off the train, breathing in the air—free, sweet, yet tasting not of sweetness, but of something charred.

He frowned sharply, glanced left and right, then headed toward the nearby hotel.

Over the next two days, Louis gained a deeper, more concrete understanding of this economic capital of America.

This place was the true capital of money!

Here, everything was decided by money: wealth meant paradise, poverty meant hell—this was the rule here.

The luxuries the rich enjoyed here surpassed Louis’s imagination; thanks to the Carnot family’s current status as capitalists, he had connections here and was granted a glimpse into the lives of these capitalists.

Maids, butlers, luxury cars, private villas, golf courses, mountains leased as hunting grounds…

Over a hundred well-trained, beautiful maids lined up in unison to welcome him.

A meticulous butler arranged everything perfectly.

Exquisite delicacies, each served in only a tiny portion.

And banquets where so-called celebrities served as mere ornaments.

One could say that here, the four words “eating, drinking, playing, and entertaining” were fully realized.

Just after the Cold War ended, these rich people had already become so extravagant.

In Orlando, he had felt wealthy—but now that he was truly here, he realized there were differences in enjoyment, differences in wealth!

“This is insane, but why does it always feel like there’s some European aristocratic flavor to it?”

Recalling the American old-money capitalists’ obsession with European nobility, Louis roughly understood why.

It was, in a way, pretentious affectation.

“It’s truly eroding willpower. If this continues, thresholds will keep rising—it’s no wonder these people grow more and more twisted, even creating something like Gothic Island.”

Louis pulled his hand away from the slick grip of a famous singer beside him.

The next moment, a glass filled with red liquid was automatically offered to his lips; a beautiful woman smiled sweetly, her eyes full of desire, seductively fixed on Louis.

In fact, had he shown any interest, what was now being offered to his lips wouldn’t have been wine—but…

Louis glanced to the side.

A sultry woman sat astride a man, her mouth filled with wine, serving as a living cup…

In the dim light nearby, muffled gasps echoed continuously.

Many of these men and women were ones Louis had seen on television—yes, they were all Hollywood actors and actresses with some degree of fame.

Celebrities here were nothing but the finest playthings.

But Louis had no interest in any of it now.

Simply put—he had raised his standards.

Ordinary courtesans and painted beauties no longer caught his eye.

Besides, Louis glanced at the Thousand Thieves and Whores Golden Page glowing brilliantly within his soul, and felt a surge of delight.

He hadn’t expected the Thousand Thieves and Whores Golden Page, which had remained inert for so long, to suddenly stir—was a candidate appearing? And nearby?

Louis’s gaze immediately swept through the banquet, searching for the target.

He didn’t know which sect’s master would trigger the Golden Page’s reaction.

Probably the Whore Sect?

After all, there were many celebrities here—who could it be?

But just as Louis thought this, the Golden Page’s glow began to dim, as if the target was moving away—or about to die.

Louis immediately stood up and began moving around.

Several attendant maids and female stars were momentarily stunned; in such banquets, young, handsome men like Louis were rare.

Most attendees were middle-aged or elderly men and women, mostly plain-looking, even perverse in their tastes—the older they were, the more twisted they became.

They had gone to great lengths to secure positions near Louis, yet he had never made a move—and now, inexplicably, he was suddenly moving about?

What exactly was he doing?

Louis ignored their thoughts, following the Golden Page’s glow as he descended the stairs.

This small banquet was held in a club near Huaerjie, and just below was Huaerjie itself.

When Louis stepped down, sensing the Golden Page’s glow, he quickly reached the street, where beggars filled every corner, emitting foul odors.

At this moment, the Golden Page glowed brighter than ever before.

Not far from Louis, a man who had once been handsome walked with a troubled expression, head bowed.

He was Jordan Belfort, a low-level clerk and newly certified stockbroker—though now, one word must be added before that title: former.

That’s right.

His company had gone bankrupt.

He was unemployed.

Until now, he had believed unemployment waves could never reach him—his company had always been stable—but life was unpredictable.

Policy shifts, economic restructuring, and stock market fluctuations after the end of the Cold War were unimaginable and unforeseeable.

He had been too confident.

Now his company was bankrupt, he was unemployed; if he didn’t quickly find a job that paid enough, he couldn’t afford rent, would lose his home, and without a home, he’d have no chance at employment—without employment, he couldn’t rent a home, and thus spiral downward.

He would lose everything, become just another increasing number of street beggars—no, worse!

Because he had no physical strength—he couldn’t even compete for food!

Just imagining such a scene made him shudder.

“Oh no, not like this—I’ve just learned the secret to making money from my boss, haven’t put it into practice yet, haven’t become a millionaire, haven’t experienced upper-class life, and—oh, I still have my beautiful wife, Teresa is waiting for me—I can’t let her down, I must keep our home.”

“I need an opportunity—a chance to turn things around.”

(End of Chapter)