[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-becoming-a-god-through-horror":3,"chapter-becoming-a-god-through-horror-becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-238":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Becoming a God Through Horror",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2273781,4441,"Chapter 238: Departure: The Cleaners Company","becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-238",238,"\u003Cp>A small town in the countryside of Miami.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ellis residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a renowned medium, her living conditions were still quite good; she sat by the fireplace, sipping hot tea, basking in sunlight streaming through the window, her eyes half-closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life was comfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But recently, she had begun to consider retiring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no choice—years spent on the front lines exorcising malevolent spirits had drained her energy; though only middle-aged, she often felt exhausted, and her hair had turned largely white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She feared that if things continued this way, she would face only two outcomes: premature aging, or death during a spirit communication due to depleted energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to consider retirement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, Mina has assisted me for years, but she is ultimately of the Cano family—they will eventually call her back to serve them, yet someone must remain here to exorcise spirits. Should I take on another apprentice or assistant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Ellis pondered these matters, she gradually fell asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shadow slightly blocked the light; Mina, now a mature medium, gazed softly at Ellis and whispered, “Really, don’t fall asleep here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She draped a garment over Ellis, her eyes filled with reluctance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her phone buzzed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mina stiffened, opened her phone, and saw a location and a flight ticket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three days from now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That evening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Candles flickered in the room; on the table sat a strawberry cream cake and a large array of dishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mina.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When are you leaving?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mina froze as she sliced Ellis’s steak. “Flight in three days. To Massachusetts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ellis nodded. She had expected the Cano family would need Mina, but she hadn’t anticipated they’d send her so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cano family’s territory was all in Florida…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Mina could not defy the Cano family, and over the years, the Cano family had given her much—she owed them repayment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before you leave, I have some things to tell you. I hope you’ll listen to this old woman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mina immediately sat up straight before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Going north, they’ll definitely use you. What value do you have? Spirit communication.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Apply everything I’ve taught you. Be extremely careful—these great families deal with matters far from simple. If things grow too dangerous, flee rather than fight to the death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Trust your abilities. Your soul attribute is unique—you have prophetic dreams in moments of danger. This precognitive warning ability is rare; many mediums lack it entirely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though it hasn’t triggered often these years, you’ve surely felt its benefits. So believe in your ability—it will greatly increase your survival rate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, take this. All these years, I’ve had friends in the Church. If all else fails, seek refuge there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ellis produced a broken cross, faintly stained with blood, clearly holding a story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mina said nothing, only accepted the cross.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ellis had no children; she had truly treated Mina as her own daughter, which was why she was so thoughtful now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mina embraced Ellis. “Teacher, I’ll come back. Don’t overwork yourself. If you must, hire a maid to care for you—it’ll ease your burden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ellis shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said nothing more, only patted Mina’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mina boarded the plane, but as soon as she stepped aboard, she sensed something wrong and halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These passengers—all seemed connected. And the elderly woman beside her? There was a faint ripple of spiritual energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem quite alert.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman smiled, tucked away her tarot cards, and extended her hand. “Hello, I’m Alma, a fortune-teller.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mina glanced around at the others, then approached Alma and nodded. “Mina. Medium.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sitting down, Mina eagerly asked Alma, “You’re one too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alma nodded with a smile. “Yes, I’m also under Louis’s employ. I know you—you were the first capable person Louis ever recruited.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mina smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One knows one’s own situation best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She might have been Louis’s first recruit, but over the years, aside from occasional training at the Cano family’s grounds, she’d rarely appeared, never met Louis—put bluntly, she’d been far too free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Madam Alma, do you know what we’re going there to do? And these passengers—I can’t shake the feeling…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alma: “These things? Because I’ve been tied to the family, I know a bit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss plans to establish a company in Massachusetts similar to an exorcism bureau, though with some differences.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We primarily serve the elite. We are the seeds, the elite personnel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for these people, they’re all company staff heading there like us—but they’re very different from us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mina nodded thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed Louis intended to expand into new occult markets in the north?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides them and these company staff, large numbers of armed forces capable of handling occult incidents were being dispatched to Massachusetts in batches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis couldn’t rely solely on the upper-class route—how much could even exhausted mediums accomplish?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These mass-produced soldiers were the true foundation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With them, plus the elite black-armored soldiers and the two of us, the new company’s framework could be built.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Louis’s newly established northern base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One in the south, one in the north—aiming for full coverage of America.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though this goal remained distant, and neither of the two overseas states had yet extended so much as a single tentacle, the future looked promising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plane roared forward, carrying personnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Caravans and trains, like endless dragons, transported soldiers toward their destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for transporting weapons and other dangerous equipment—in this nation that prides itself on freedom, as long as you had dollars, nothing was a problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, money was power!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orlando Airport.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After bidding farewell to David and the others, Louis boarded the plane alone, heading into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Jiali and the others—they lacked talent for learning; even the cleverest Emma barely scraped by. Attending MIT would only make them uncomfortable; better to stay in Florida and attend a local university.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that was only one reason. More importantly, they needed to remain here to carry out Louis’s Ascension Plan—the ley line nodes still required their surveying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So although Emma, Jiali, and the others longed to join Louis on a new adventure, they obediently chose to stay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madison was an exception—she didn’t want to attend university and dreamed of becoming a star, so she was sent to Hollywood, where the brothel’s mistress, Edith, already firmly established, would watch over her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the plane arrived at its destination—Massachusetts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This region near New York State still looked prosperous—or rather, in today’s increasingly thriving economy, it had become even more so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, for some reason, the number of homeless people in alleyways had not decreased—it had increased, casting an uncivilized shadow over this rapidly developing place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After disembarking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis ended his call with a MIT board member, checked his location, and chose a car to head to his new base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for reporting to MIT…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was already over half a month late; another delay wouldn’t matter much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d understand—for the sake of the dollars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skyscrapers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suits and ties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every American in this era looked as if their heads were held high, brimming with confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Louis’s gaze didn’t linger on them at all—he kept returning to the homeless figures lining the alleyways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hoping to stumble upon the master of the Beggar Gate by chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, Louis had no such luck—he encountered none until he reached his new base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The car stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The building before him wasn’t tall—only seven stories. Compared to nearby shops and upscale supermarkets, it fit perfectly, just right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But compared to companies housed in office towers, it looked decidedly modest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this was precisely the place Louis had sought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In America, the north and south were entirely different in power and economic structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention—the political parties alone differed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And such a building better suited the current identity of the Cleaners Company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Correct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the Rebirth Prison in the south, the Sanitation Company is Louis’s secret base for establishing himself in the north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the Rebirth Prison, which pretends to be a prison while secretly housing inmates, the Sanitation Company will operate in a semi-public manner, similar to the Warrens’ Paranormal Society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The south and the north are different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, the Cano family doesn’t have that much influence; some things simply can’t be done—especially actions like sending out individual squads to hunt monsters, which would be impossible in the north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this form is all we can take.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrived at the Sanitation Company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a newly founded company, it hasn’t opened yet, but all personnel are already present, quietly cleaning and arranging their workstations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These are all senior staff from the twentieth floor of Cano International; they know exactly what to do and what not to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing Louis enter, they merely bowed slightly, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrived at the seventh floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice in Chinese came from beside his ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Fu Bo, who had been in Miami, now appearing here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis smiled and walked with Fu Bo into the office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As someone from Louis’s mother’s side and the man who raised him, Fu Bo was perhaps the person Louis trusted most, aside from David and others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why Louis brought Fu Bo here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, here is the information on shops along this street, and the personal details of chairmen from major companies in Cambridge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These are the families I believe are worth cultivating deeper ties with.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an old-fashioned butler from the old era, it wasn’t enough to simply manage household affairs—he had to assist his master in managing family business, social connections, and analyzing situations. Any family of real stature would never have a simple butler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many believe British butlers are the standard, capable of doing many things for their masters, but in truth, the butlers of Eastern aristocratic families are no less capable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Louis’s maternal family, though fallen, might have once had some influence before their decline?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So although Fu Bo is an old man, his methods are far from weak. Even when Louis was young, he secretly used questionable means to accumulate wealth for him and arrange escape routes, just in case the Cano family faced any disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his view, mafia families don’t last long—they’re too prone to accidents. He had to prepare backup plans for the Young Master’s safety and future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he never spoke of this. After all, the Young Master is living well now, isn’t he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, thanks to the Elixir of All Spirits and the Witchcraft Enhancement Potion Louis provided, Fu Bo’s energy is abundant and fully capable of assisting Louis with the new company’s affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why Louis brought him over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis took the list and glanced at it—the details were clear, presented in modern formats with scheduled times, clearly showing this old man hadn’t fallen behind the times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fu Bo, I may not have much time to handle company affairs personally. I’ll rely on you for this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. I’ll first set up the framework and get the company running.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dressed in a black Tang suit, Fu Bo bowed slightly with a calm expression. “It is this old servant’s honor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However, Young Master, I believe your and the three young ladies’ residence should still be changed—it’s too small and too crowded with unnecessary people; this will inevitably cause minor inconveniences for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for servants, although English food is terrible, their maids are at least acceptable. I’ve already arranged a batch for you—excellent looks and high cultivation. After a bit of training, they’ll be ready to use.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope the Young Master will be patient.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait, I was talking about work—why are you suddenly shifting to my personal life? And what maids? Do I look that lecherous?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait a second—hmm—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh right, this is also part of your job…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just… thinking about the Young Master’s daily life… you’re a bit too good at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of silence, “Alright, that apartment is indeed too small and inconvenient. Do as you say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s begin work now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bring up Mimi and Alma, and the captains of the armed forces.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nervous, Mimi followed Alma up in the elevator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrived at the office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just stepped in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of pressure hit them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spacious, bright office featured floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking distant views, exotic plants and fish he didn’t recognize—all unmistakably luxurious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But most importantly, the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several towering, muscular men in black armor stood respectfully before the desk, radiating menace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside the desk stood an Asian elder, dressed in a neat black Tang suit, his face faintly smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sound of the door opening, both the men and the elder turned their gazes toward them—fixed, unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaaah!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mimi felt her heart skip two beats—she was so nervous…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Alma beside her hesitated slightly, clearly unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, the room held only silence and an endless, spreading pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chair turned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis, seated at the central main seat, turned around and smiled faintly at Mimi and Alma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ladies, it’s been a long time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2172,"2026-06-19T23:34:31.517Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","eb894156088c4e237eb52a4b0dab4b45fa88a4cfdfc976ddb36a82bec0dbb138","becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-239","becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-237",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecoming-a-god-through-horror-cover.jpg"]