Chapter 651: Exposing the Conspiracy (Third Update—Requesting Monthly Tickets)

"A sufficient distance plus a 'Hypnotist'…" "Siso" repeated Lu Mi's words, as if something had just occurred to him.

Lu Mi stood before him, looking down at him, and explained with a questioning tone:

"Don't you think that, aside from 'Demon Hunters' and higher-sequence practitioners of the corresponding path, killing a demon requires relying on ambush?"

"Siso" stared at Lu Mi coldly, offering no reply.

Lu Mi pulled over a chair and sat down, crossing his right leg over his left knee, speaking in a casual, conversational tone:

"I read a mystical book about demons, filled with numerous cases of demon hunts.

"It became clear that for most path practitioners, eliminating a specific demon truly does require ambush—I once believed this too, until later, when I recalled the detailed descriptions of 'demon' abilities, I noticed a contradiction.

"That mystical book described your danger perception as follows:

"Danger precognition, also called malice perception: if an enemy can inflict fatal harm on a demon within a short time and takes concrete action toward it, the demon can sense it in advance, identify the source of danger—its origin and identity—and act to eliminate, retaliate, or flee, but cannot perceive the specific details of the plan. Different demons have varying ranges of intuitive effect, from minutes to a day, from several kilometers to an entire urban region."

"What contradiction does this have with ambush?" "Siso" sat upright, his cold expression tinged with curiosity.

"According to this description, demons should certainly sense ambushes coming," Lu Mi laughed. "For example, even though I merely intended to have coffee today, I suddenly encountered a demon and had to kill him. From a literal standpoint, that demon should have sensed in advance that my act of going to the café would pose a fatal threat—and that I had taken concrete action toward it. But that's not what happened."

Seeing "Siso" begin to ponder, Lu Mi clasped his hands together:

"This indicates that a demon's danger precognition does not stem from fate. For a powerful practitioner of the 'Monster' path, such a situation would likely trigger an instinctive feeling that today is unsuitable for coffee, prompting them to avoid danger. But you cannot.

"If a demon's danger sense isn't due to fate prediction, then where does it come from?

"Once, a high-ranking devil explained to me the concept of the Abyss. It claimed the Abyss has two meanings: one material, with an entrance at some location in the real world; the other spiritual, with an entrance deep within each of our hearts.

"Synthesizing the above, I believe the premise of a demon's danger precognition needs revision.

"It must be: 'The enemy holds a relatively clear thought, can inflict fatal harm on the demon within a short time, and has taken concrete action.' Only then can the demon sense it in advance.

"Understood? A relatively clear thought—or intention."

Lu Mi taunted "Siso" in the tone of the 'Magician' lady, beginning to reveal his true conspiracy:

"At first, I merely probed slowly, investigated step by step, and deliberately avoided key information—so I neither knew who I was confronting nor had any general plan to deal with them.

"In other words, I had no clear thought or intention, lacked an effective plan capable of inflicting fatal harm on you in a short time—all was vague, chaotic, unstarted, full of change and unpredictability. Naturally, you sensed no danger.

"But your position made you alert the moment I began investigating the four-year-old serial murder case, and since then, you've been using 'Wraith' abilities and several controlled patrol officers to monitor the matter, correct?"

"Siso" listened coldly, showing no intention to reply.

Lu Mi smiled and continued:

"After roughly deducing you were hiding within the patrol force as a 'Corpse' path practitioner, I restrained my impulses, deliberately avoiding thoughts on this matter. Once back at the hotel, I immediately 'Teleported' to Trill.

"At this distance, you couldn't sense me formulating a plan and putting it into action.

"With a preliminary idea, I immediately sought out 'Dagger Sleeve' and two other companions. We discussed a detailed plan—it was just after seven in the evening in Trill.

"Next, we divided tasks: each person handled a portion and underwent 'Hypnotist's' hypnosis, forgetting the true purpose until you, the demon, appeared, triggering the memory.

"My task: pretend to leave via 'Teleport,' then stealthily return using shadows, track the patrol officer I traded with—my self-perceived goal: check if he had any issues.

"'Dagger Sleeve's' task: follow me, provide necessary vigilance and aid. If I used 'Vial of Fiction,' she was to put on 'Punishment Ring' in advance and lie in wait outside. Why she waited, she didn't know—she'd only realize when she saw you, and with her combat experience and intelligence, she'd naturally know what to do next—no need for me to teach or arrange details.

"The 'Hypnotist's' task: wander nearby using 'Psychological Invisibility,' nothing more.

"The other 'Sorceress's' task: monitor the patrol force; if anything unusual occurred, alert immediately. Before you appeared, she didn't know why she was doing this—she only thought we were targeting the patrol force.

"Before the hypnosis automatically lifted, none of us held the intention to confront you. Each of our actions, taken alone, could not inflict fatal harm on you. Naturally, you sensed no danger.

"This is a premeditated ambush—an ambush where you encounter multiple people."

Upon finishing these words, Lu Mi suddenly heard a phantom cracking sound.

He felt his 'Conspirator' potion had been fully digested.

He also sensed that "Siso's" seemingly cold expression was now breeding regret and remorse, gnawing at his soul.

Lu Mi smiled even brighter. He stood, leaned forward, and brought his head close to "Siso's" face, staring into those hazel eyes streaked with blood vessels:

"Your greatest mistake was not fleeing Pailos Port in advance—you stayed in the patrol force.

"Why were you so confident I couldn't find you?"

"How do you know I drink Felmor coffee without sugar?" "Siso" replied with a counter-question.

Lu Mi sensed his fury and killing intent had reached an intense level. He straightened up and answered with a smile:

"My sister often says: 'Everything you walk past leaves a trace.' And one of my companions is a trace expert.

"Heh. Emperor Rosel probably said something similar—you know exactly what it means."

"Siso" clenched the armrests of his chair tightly, then asked again:

"Why are you certain I would go kill Kolobo?"

Lu Mi answered with complete ease:

"I'm not certain.

"Didn't I tell you I have a 'Sorceress' companion monitoring the patrol force?

"'Dagger Sleeve' and I both believed that if you ultimately chose to flee, you'd first do something to vent your killing urge—otherwise, you, as a 'Demon' plus 'Prisoner' path practitioner, might break down. And if you were going to kill someone, it would either be the patrol officer I traded with, or Giam, the one who gave me information—not at Matani's Shop, then, then in the patrol force."

Here, Lu Mi grinned and guessed:

"You risked staying in Pailos Port, hiding in the patrol force, because you wanted to wait for a chance to kill me? In the 'Tarot Society,' under the watch of the 'Fuzzy Baboon Research Society,' you hoped to find an opportunity to slay me—a young man with great potential—and escape calmly, satisfying your twisted soul to the fullest?"

"Siso" instinctively licked his lips:

"I originally planned to wait a while—until you lost patience, until an opportunity arose—then strike. But now it seems you didn't seek help from those half-gods, only 'Hela.'

"I should have ambushed you last night."

"Siso" no longer concealed his regret.

Lu Mi didn't immediately respond. After a few seconds of thought, he said:

"Still waiting for an opportunity… You're very confident in hiding your identity, unafraid of ordinary investigation.

"Is this related to the patrol force's high command allowing a Sequence 6 'Prisoner' path practitioner to join?"

"Siso" fell silent, answering with silence.

"This must conceal a significant secret," Lu Mi suddenly sensed the scent of conspiracy. "Is the opportunity you're waiting for also tied to this secret?"

"Siso" remained silent, but his gaze shifted—more bloodthirsty, brimming with killing desire.

"Won't talk, huh?" Lu Mi laughed. "Fine. Let's talk about something else."

He bent down again, looking at "Siso":

"This operation, I truly only sought 'Hela'—first to guard against the Nos family devil you contacted, second to provide a peaceful environment for our exchange."

Upon hearing "Nos family devil," "Siso's" expression subtly changed:

"How do you know?"

Lu Mi didn't answer. His lips curled higher:

"I only sought 'Hela' because I intend to capture you alive using only my own and my companions' strength.

"Each of us is weaker than you. Each of us is someone you believe you can torture and kill. But together, as a team, cooperating perfectly—you're here now, and soon you'll fall into hell."

"Siso" crushed the armrests with a sharp crack—but could not launch any attack against Lu Mi.

Looking at his bloodshot eyes, Lu Mi took from his 'Traveler's Satchel' a golden straw hat, pressed it to his chest, and bowed.

"I'll leave for a moment," he said with a smile.

The next second, Lu Mi exited the dream.

He swiftly shifted from his seated position leaning against the broken stone pillar and took from his 'Traveler's Satchel' the Exquisite Trait, teeth, blood of Gardener Martin, venom of the Colorful Bearded Lizard, and hazelnut oil.

He had truly felt "Siso's" fear, anger, and regret—even though these emotions arose in the dream, they had manifested in "Siso's" brain and body, real and intense.

He was about to brew the 'Harvester' potion.

ps: Third update—requesting base monthly tickets~

(End of Chapter)