Chapter 673

The Scale Gold Cult has been unusually active lately...

After reading the results gathered by Jerry's "friends" on the desk, the red-haired director's fox-like eyes narrowed slightly, then curled his fingers and tapped thoughtfully on the tabletop.

Previously, that toad forcibly smuggled itself in and manifested at the Charles Department Store plaza, nearly causing a mass casualty incident; afterward, it conspired with several major noble families led by Rose Ma Sai, recruiting many followers among the kingdom's nobility. The Scale Gold Cult's actions over the past two months have already crossed the line.

I should have moved immediately to drive out all these rats from the gutters, but I was tied up by the Water Bearer Director's matter, busy investigating alongside Beverly, and never found the time to settle the score.

My "weak" actions must have sent the wrong signal to the Scale Gold Cult, causing them to misjudge my tolerance—they've now openly held a gathering right in the capital...

It's time to strike hard and make the Scale Gold Cult remember their place!

After deciding on his stance toward the Scale Gold Cult, the red-haired director halted his habitual thinking gesture and looked up at Emma before him.

"Emma, what do you think about the information Lyon uncovered?"

"..."

"Emma?"

"Hmm... sorry, I was just distracted."

Hearing the director's puzzled call, Emma snapped back to attention and offered an apologetic smile, then spoke with her usual calm expression:

"Director, what did you say about Lyon?"

"..."

【

Why do you seem kind of off ever since you dropped Li Ang off yesterday?

"I'm not asking about what happened to Li Ang—I'm asking what you think about the gathering rumor he brought back."

She gave Emma a skeptical glance but found nothing unusual, so the Red-Haired Director set aside her suspicion and continued explaining:

"Earlier, Li Ang took the mission to rescue people from the Rose Estate, where he encountered the Chief of the Wealth-Attracting Line of the Scale Gold Sect and learned of their planned gathering. He then threatened the Masseny family to immediately notify him the moment they received word of the gathering."

"This morning, someone from the Masseny family came to report that the Scale Gold Sect will hold their gathering in three days, at Redwood Avenue in the Royal Capital—specifically, beneath the Masseny family's Rose Estate."

After briefly outlining the background, the Red-Haired Director voiced her opinion.

"Compared to other secret cults, the Scale Gold Sect is among the least harmful, but lately they've been acting far too bold—holding a gathering right in the Royal Capital, and even sending three Chiefs at once. I want you to go there and make them behave for a while."

"Understood."

After accepting the mission without hesitation, Emma glanced at the report on the desk and asked:

"To what extent? Total annihilation? Or just capturing the three Chiefs?"

"As for the extent…"

Hearing Emma's question, the Red-Haired Director paused to consider, then declared firmly:

"Take the 【Coffin of Divine Judgment】 with you this time. See what kind of people the Scale Gold Sect has gathered."

"If they're the kind with minor offenses, go easy—they're not particularly extreme in doctrine. Many join just to restore limbs or regain sight. No need to be overly harsh."

"For the Cat-Faithful of the Wealth-Attracting Line and the Snake-Faithful of the Wealth-Consuming Line, if their sins aren't grave, scare them off and expel them—just enough to prevent them from banding together to cause trouble."

"But if the Wealth-Spitting Line shows up—the Toad-Faithful who buy limbs, health, happiness, and other 'exchanges'—and the 【Coffin of Divine Judgment】 reacts, kill them all. Leave none alive."

"Understood."

After carefully listening to the Red-Haired Director's instructions and memorizing the mission objectives, Emma nodded slightly and rose to leave—but the Red-Haired Director called out to stop her.

"Emma, did something happen yesterday?"

"Huh? Why ask that?"

"Because you seem off today."

Looking at her best friend, who turned back in confusion, the Red-Haired Director narrowed her eyes and said with certainty:

"Emma, tell me the truth—something else happened after you dropped Li Ang off yesterday. Otherwise, you wouldn't suddenly be distracted… Did he try to touch you?"

"How could he?" Emma laughed outright.

"Where did you get that idea? Li Ang isn't like that. I was distracted thinking about something else—nothing to do with him."

"Alright…"

Though still sensing something was off, Emma's expression was perfectly normal, showing no sign of deceit, so the Red-Haired Director reluctantly dropped the matter and asked with concern:

"Emma, how have you been feeling lately?"

"Fine."

"Did the wound from the Bloodsworn Swordfish at Lyon Harbor heal completely?"

"Long ago."

"Can your body still handle the strain from the 【Coffin of Divine Judgment】?"

"No problem."

"Li Ang really didn't harass you yesterday?"

"Really didn't…"

Watching the Red-Haired Director slip in another question amid half-hearted concern, Emma sighed helplessly:

"Olivia, if you keep this up, I'm really going to get mad."

"Alright, alright, I won't ask anymore, okay?"

The Red-Haired Director grumbled and pouted:

"Just be careful. When people are drunk, their self-control drops, and they reveal suppressed desires… Li Ang doesn't seem as innocent as he looks. I think he's got designs on you. Don't let him…"

"Olivia!"

"Fine, fine, I won't say another word—this time I really mean it!"

Under Emma's slightly irritated gaze, the Red-Haired Director raised her hands in surrender, then watched her leave with a solemn expression. She stared at Emma's back, at the four marks—one red, three black—and frowned in thought.

I asked Emma four questions. Three answers were true, one was false… So did Li Ang really harass her yesterday?

…

"Achoo!"

"I told you to wear more—you caught a cold!"

Glaring at Li Ang, who still wore autumn clothes in winter and looked painfully thin, Anna pulled out a scarf she'd already prepared and handed it to him as he sneezed repeatedly, then took out a pair of gloves from her bag.

"Put it on right away—stop trying to be tough!"

"I'm not being tough—I really don't feel cold… Fine, I'll put it on."

"Yes, yes, you're not cold… Now put on the gloves too!"

"Oh…"

Rubbing his perpetually itchy nose, Li Ang—whose household status had plummeted after being caught trying to flirt—meekly accepted the scarf and gloves under his sister's glare and dressed himself obediently.

But truthfully, though the 5-point Infusion had already granted him some resistance to cold and heat, wrapping the scarf around his neck and pulling on the gloves blocked the biting wind from his collar and cuffs, and he instantly felt much warmer.

"Stand still. Don't move."

Standing on tiptoe, Anna adjusted Li Ang's scarf, sealing the last gap where cold air crept in, then nodded in satisfaction and linked her arm through his.

"Let's go—it's rare you're free today. Perfect time to attend the parent-teacher meeting for Melanie and the others!"

(End of Chapter)