Chapter 209: Sorting Out

Lu Mian ignored the "Magician" lady's habitual teasing and focused his attention on her description of the evil god's infiltration.

This was basically consistent with the information revealed by "Hammer" Aite before he died:

For outer evil gods who were not recognized, the gift of divine power was quite troublesome and existed with great difficulties. They must have secretly developing believers hold large-scale rituals that were easily noticed and destroyed for it to be possible to infiltrate.

The "Magician" lady listed the numbers in detail, proving how difficult it was for power at the angel level to descend into the current world. In recent years, there were only five cases in total, four of which failed, and the remaining one was in a semi-failed state. Gifts possessing divinity but not yet at the angel level seemed relatively easier, but the number was also very small, with most failing.

She didn't say it, but what "Hammer" Aite mentioned was that among those evil gods, the "Great Mother," the "Mother Tree of Desire," and the "Strange Mist" were very special, possessing infiltration capabilities exceeding other existences. Lu Mian suspected that regarding gifts involving divine power, most of the successful cases belonged to these three.

Does the "Magician" lady not know, or does she feel I don't need to know now? Lu Mian thought for a while and felt the latter possibility was greater.

He continued to read the "Magician" lady's reply:

"This is actually good news. Dealing with an angel serving a secret existence is much easier than dealing with the angel-level power split from that secret existence, and the hidden dangers are also relatively much smaller.

"Wait until you yourself also become an angel and extract power of the same level from that guy with the very long name, leaving Him in a very weak state for the time being, then you can pray to my Lord, lift the seal, release Him, and then beat Him up, turning Him into a sealed artifact or reducing Him to Beyonder characteristics.

"Of course, the premise is that He is a true angel, not a puppet given a gift. Puppets will be easier to solve; once you extract His power to a certain limit, He will collapse on His own. The remaining power bearing the brand of that secret existence is relatively more troublesome, requiring you to maintain the seal and absorb it slowly until it reaches a level an angel can control.

"Does it sound very smooth, with a high probability of success? No, the most troublesome and difficult step is for you to become an angel.

"Given your state in all aspects, I currently don't harbor much confidence. If it weren't for the special current era, ninety-nine percent or even more Beyonders would never be able to touch divinity.

"How to avoid the negative influence brought by Termiboros, I think your psychological counselor should have already told you; there is no need for me to elaborate at length.

"I am just reminding you: in the future, when doing anything relatively critical and with high danger, remember to write me a letter in advance to notify me.

"Why is it not suggesting you write a letter before trying to utilize that guy with the very long name? It is because at that time, you will likely be secretly influenced, ignoring the corresponding danger and forgetting to write me a letter. And Termiboros cannot make you forget my reminder just now, because that would mean you would do many dangerous things and likely lose your own life, which is clearly not what He wants to see and contradicts the goal He hopes to achieve.

"If you die, the seal will be affected, but my Lord will also notice, and then I will gather people to come over, cooperate with the seal, and clear Him out.

"Such an angel skilled in manipulating fate is sealed within you; your life ahead will be very 'exciting.' Praise my Lord, you should now be like bait used to fish for evil god believers and Hunter witches, having all kinds of experiences. If you have time and mood one day, you can write a long letter to share with me.

"Finally, with the help of two psychological counselors, you can express your willingness to convert in the next gathering to Mr. K. Remember, before setting off to attend the gathering, pray to my Lord for angelic protection."

Lu Mian finished reading very patiently, feeling that the "Magician" lady had said a lot, but also seemed to have said nothing.

The most useful part was teaching him how to avoid the influence created by Termiboros and not forget to consult her before utilizing this angel. The other part was painting a beautiful blueprint that there was hope to solve the contamination in his body once he reached the angel level.

After rubbing his spirituality and burning the paper, Lu Mian touched the banknotes and coins hidden in various pockets, left Room 207, and arrived at the door of 305.

Anthony Reid had returned to his residence, sitting by the bed, still in that clerk attire.

Looking at Lu Mian, who pushed open the ajar door and entered, he explained simply:

"I didn't wait for the target at the back door of 126 Market Avenue. Not long ago, I discovered he had already left from the front door, and you followed him."

Lu Mian counted out banknotes worth 400 verl d'or and handed them to Anthony Reid.

At the same time, he nodded lightly:

"The commission is over."

"It seems you have already met with the target." Anthony Reid laughed.

He asked after deliberation:

"Can I submit the information related to the target to the official side?"

"Wait a week." Lu Mian had originally intended to pay extra to have Anthony Reid delay earning the bounty on the wanted poster for a period of time, but since he had asked for his opinion, he gave a time limit accordingly.

—He was worried that the investigation and arrest of Louis Lund would alarm Lady Pualis and affect his meeting with her.

Anthony Reid did not object and said with deep feeling:

"You are more suitable for the Market District than I imagined."

He had never seen a wanted criminal become the leader of a large gang so quickly without being identified by the official side.

"Capable people are suitable anywhere, just like you." Lu Mian gave Anthony Reid a hint and subconsciously looked around Room 305.

He saw several folded papers on the wooden table by the window. They were thicker and smoother, seemingly larger than normal-sized oil paintings.

What is that? Lu Mian stared for a second and discovered that the surface of the paper folded inside faintly revealed some blue and a sense of printing.

This instantly gave him an association:

Posters pasted on the wall!

The posters for congressional candidates that were pasted everywhere recently!

"You are very concerned about the congressional election." Lu Mian didn't hide his speculation and mocked Anthony Reid. "Do you have a legitimate job?"

This was one of the basic conditions for obtaining election qualifications.

Anthony Reid smiled calmly:

"No."

He didn't answer why he was collecting posters of congressional candidates.

Another commission? Lu Mian didn't ask more, waved his hand, and turned to walk out of Room 305.

Amidst the intermittent wailing of that madman, he walked all the way down, left the Golden Rooster Hotel, returned to the Breeze Dance Hall, and sat at the bar.

"Good evening, Boss." The bartender immediately straightened his back and greeted respectfully.

Lu Mian nodded:

"Give me a glass of absinthe."

Today, he had recalled the things in Cordu Village too many times; he needed the bitterness with a hint of psychedelic feeling to "sober up."

On the stage, Jenna was performing exaggeratedly, singing vulgar songs. Lu Mian leaned against the bar, looking with unfocused eyes and listening with empty ears.

He sipped the dreamy green liquid from time to time, letting the bitter taste stimulate his nerves.

After calming down for a while, he tidied up his mood and sorted out the things he needed to deal with recently:

First, Mr. K's mission; second, the threat of the Poison Sting Gang; third, Susanna Mattise's next attack; fourth, the meeting with Lady Pualis.

As for the election, after confirming from Franca that the Savard Party also supported Hugo Artois, Lu Mian didn't pay attention to it anymore, because even if the other party won the election, they wouldn't completely suppress the Savard Party and affect his completion of the mission.

Susanna Mattise's next attack was originally a problem Lu Mian was very worried about, but with progress in psychological counseling and no longer resisting seeking help from Franca, this matter could now be solved relatively simply:

Official Beyonders who took it seriously couldn't be inferior to Lu Mian, a Sequence 8. They would inevitably discover the problems with Mr. Eve and the Old Pigeon Cage Theater, then find the evil spirit of Susanna Mattise and purify her completely.

This would be completed in the next few days; he only needed to maintain vigilance.

Mr. K's mission was relatively complex, depending on Gardner Martin's thoughts. Lu Mian wasn't a Beyonder of the "Spectator" pathway and could only try again and again to see how to gain the target's recognition. There was no shortcut for the time being, which also meant there was no need to rush.

Similarly, the Lady Pualis side needed to wait for a reply; Lu Mian couldn't rush even if he wanted to.

After some analysis, Lu Mian felt that what he needed to concentrate his energy on solving was the threat of the Poison Sting Gang.

After the election succeeded, "Black Scorpion" Roger would receive further gifts from the "Moon Lady" and become a "Sower." "Baldy" Harman and "Candelabra" Castina might also be promoted to "Warlocks." By then, Lu Mian, as their primary target, would almost be unable to resist. Even with the help of Franca, Baron Brignais, and others, it would be very dangerous.

"Before the election ends, join forces with Franca, find a late night, sneak into 126 Market Avenue, and kill all the remaining leaders of the Poison Sting Gang? Even if the 'Moon Lady' sends people again, by the time they stabilize the situation, I will have almost gained the boss's trust and can take the opportunity to half-withdraw from the Market District...

"The problem is, on the home turf of a 'Warlock,' Franca and I combined might not be able to defeat him, not to mention he has helpers...

"Find an opportunity when 'Baldy' Harman and 'Candelabra' Castina are out and kill them first?" While Lu Mian was thinking, he saw Charlie, dressed as a waiter, walking toward the bar with a tray.

He nodded in greeting, habitually concentrated his attention, and observed Charlie's fortune.

The next second, the fingers Lu Mian was using to hold the absinthe glass tightened, and his pupils dilated instantly.

He "saw" Charlie's fortune stained with blood, red mixed with black, making his scalp tingle.

This meant that in the last two or three days, or even the last twenty-four hours, Charlie would have a life-threatening bloody disaster!

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 210 =====