Chapter 722: An Unexpected

Upon hearing the word "fraudster," Lu Mi and the others fell silent, a similar thought flashing through their minds:

Could it really be this unlucky?

Though Ye Busi had mentioned that "covert deals" might encounter fraudsters, based on Furan Ka's previous experience, the "Dark Chamber of the Powerful" was still reliable—and this time they'd even received the "Blood Gold" ring.

Had the transaction not been handled by himself, Lu Mi would truly have wanted to use the "Eye of Catastrophe" to see how likely the deal was to succeed, and whether he could interfere.

With nothing left to do, the four could only wait patiently, observing the study's interior through the glass mirror, beyond the dark, deep waterlight.

As the minutes passed and night deepened, Lu Mi and the others ate the dried rations prepared for Ludwig inside "The Traveler's Satchel" to fill their stomachs.

Near ten o'clock, Morlan Avini entered the study through its open wooden door, sat on the armchair directly beneath the gas wall lamp, pulled a book from the pile beside him, and began flipping through it with apparent leisure.

The "Purifier" team assigned to protect him today, as usual, remained at the doorway and did not enter.

This was something Morlan Avini had always insisted upon, having signed contracts with the "Purifiers," "Mechanical Heart" members, and Squad Eight, accepting the corresponding risks.

Security personnel understood this well—such a politician's study might harbor many dark secrets; banning those with extraordinary abilities from entering was a form of self-protection.

And unlike usual, today Morlan Avini had left the study door open, not closing it, allowing the "Purifiers" to more easily monitor any potentially problematic areas.

While flipping through the book, Morlan Avini occasionally lifted his head to glance at the full-length mirror, hidden from the "Purifiers'" line of sight, as if lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Lu Mi's eyes within the mirror darkened to silver-black.

He peered through the glass surface, observing Morlan Avini's river of fate.

After careful scrutiny, he discovered the minister of industry had indeed gained several new tributaries flowing into the full-length mirror, one of which was shrouded in thick blackness.

Lu Mi no longer hesitated; seizing the moment when Morlan Avini lowered his head again to read, he slowly extended his right palm through the mirror's surface, pressing it tightly against the glass as if it were merely a reflection.

Then, he unleashed the remaining spiritual energy, transforming it into a violent, illusory river that surged across several meters toward the mercury-colored river symbolizing Morlan Avini's fate.

Morlan Avini's main fate stream immediately swallowed the other tributaries, drawing in the one shrouded in dense blackness.

"Push Fate!"

As Lu Mi released the spiritual energy accumulated through his "Penitent" ability, he swiftly retracted his hand, lest Morlan Avini notice the anomaly.

He then nodded to Furan Ka and the others, signaling that the "Dark Chamber" deal had succeeded—and so had his "Push Fate."

As for how Morlan Avini would activate this fate thread, Lu Mi did not know—he still could not see that clearly or in detail.

Furan Ka and Jianna both quietly exhaled.

They dared not speak, fearing they might alert Morlan Avini, who possessed mirror-related abilities; instead, they conveyed their understanding with relieved smiles and light nods.

Lu Mi continued observing Morlan Avini, while Furan Ka, Jianna, and Anthony retreated backward, taking their positions to prepare for the upcoming ambush.

As fate was pushed, Morlan Avini's spiritual energy suddenly triggered a warning, stirring a sense of danger within him.

He instantly recalled the mirror message received at dusk, suspecting the unknown enemy mentioned by the "Overseer" was attempting something that might endanger his life.

Morlan Avini couldn't help glancing again at the full-length mirror, considering whether to flee into it before the "Purifiers" reacted, abandoning his current identity to vanish entirely from the hidden enemy's sight.

He suppressed his impulse, turning his head slightly to scan the few "Purifiers" at the door:

There might be traps behind the mirror—better to pray the official extraordinary beings provide sufficient protection!

This is Trill, and I am a national minister!

At that moment, his manservant approached the doorway carrying a cup of warm milk.

Morlan Avini preferred drinking warm milk before bathing and brushing his teeth to aid sleep.

The "Purifiers" performed their routine inspection, then allowed the manservant to enter the study.

"Sir, your milk," the manservant said respectfully, holding out a white-glazed porcelain cup.

Morlan Avini had made outstanding contributions to Intis's industrial development and received the Legion of Honor, hence he could be addressed as "Sir."

Morlan Avini gave a slight nod, extending his right hand to receive the cup.

Suddenly, he noticed his manservant's eyes had grown vacant, his pupils hiding unspeakable agony.

The next instant, the manservant opened his mouth and vomited.

A dense, writhing mass of crimson flesh shot toward Morlan Avini!

The crimson flesh rapidly swelled and expanded into a blood-meat cloak, enveloping Morlan Avini, then continuously writhing inward as if trying to burrow into the minister's body.

Lu Mi, hidden within the mirror, stared in stunned silence:

This aura…

This is Mr. K!

Why has he suddenly come to assassinate Morlan Avini?

A cracking sound echoed—the Morlan Avini enveloped by the blood-meat cloak turned into a mirror and shattered.

Almost simultaneously, the "Purifiers" at the door reacted: a pure column of flame descended from above, illuminating the flesh cloak and causing it to visibly melt.

Seeing this, Morlan Avini did not hesitate—he spun around and lunged toward the nearest mirror.

He had already revealed his "Mirror Substitute" to the "Purifiers"; unless he could eliminate everyone present without a trace, he would inevitably be investigated afterward and lose the protection of his contract.

So he had to seize this opportunity—use the "Purifiers'" focus on the assassin to escape through the mirror world!

As Morlan Avini's figure grew larger and neared the full-length mirror, Lu Mi suddenly had a thought:

Is this fate?

He immediately stepped back and vanished from his spot.

The next instant, Morlan Avini's figure passed through the mirror and appeared in the dim, shadowy, nearly void-like region behind it.

The "Purifiers" outside, witnessing this, were stunned—they immediately realized their protectee had a major problem.

This briefly diverted their attention; Mr. K seized the chance, switched his "Shepherd" target, and directly "Teleported" out of Morlan Avini's mansion.

Within the mirror realm, Morlan Avini did not pause—he immediately activated his mirror-travel ability, shifting positions repeatedly to shake off any possible pursuers.

At that moment, he felt his body inexplicably grow heavier, his limbs strangely restricted, preventing him from entering a certain dark, void-like tunnel.

It was as if someone had grabbed him.

Immediately after, Morlan Avini felt invisible threads winding around his hands, feet, and torso, layer upon layer.

Using his "Constable" ability, he sensed the source of the evil threads—just nearby.

Morlan Avini tilted his head slightly, gazing at the empty corner, two piercing "lightning" flashes igniting in his eyes.

"Mind Pierce!"

The "lightning" shot forth, striking a place with nothing in it—there, a cracking sound echoed, and shards of broken mirror rained down.

Simultaneously, behind Morlan Avini, Jianna emerged, clad in a black long dress and a veiled soft hat, holding a small, exquisite revolver.

Bang!

She fired the trigger toward the center of Morlan Avini's back.

A golden-yellow bullet, wreathed in quiet black flames, struck the target accurately at close range.

Crack! Morlan Avini activated his "Mirror Substitute" again.

As shards of mirror fell to the ground, his figure reappeared in another corner of the dim region, while Furan Ka and Jianna vanished once more, unseen.

Sensing the invisible threads winding toward him, Morlan Avini raised his right hand and spoke with authority in Ancient Hymnos:

"Invisibility is forbidden here!"

No sooner had he spoken than countless transparent spiderwebs shimmered across the area, like seaweed filling an ocean—Furan Ka, in assassin garb, circled behind, while Jianna, in dark attire, advanced forward, preparing to attack again.

Seeing his two enemies still unable to reach him and the invisible webs not yet tightening, Morlan Avini abandoned retaliation—he immediately activated mirror-travel to forcibly escape this region.

Suddenly, Morlan Avini's eyes bulged, his expression twisted into a vicious, grotesque snarl.

His body shattered once more—into mirror fragments.

Not far away, Anthony Reed, dressed in retired soldier's attire, materialized.

He had just used "Rage" on Morlan Avini!

He was unaffected by the "Invisibility Forbidden" rule because he had never truly hidden—he simply hadn't been seen by Morlan Avini, who had not looked in his direction!

Morlan Avini, having used "Mirror Substitute" multiple times, reappeared on the opposite side of the region, putting distance between himself and Furan Ka, Jianna, and Anthony.

He realized another enemy had joined them—he grew even more desperate to flee.

As Morlan Avini was about to activate mirror-travel, Furan Ka pulled down her hood, revealing her radiant, majestic face.

With this motion, the diamond necklace hanging around her neck glowed faintly.

"Beatrice's Necklace!"

Morlan Avini's body grew warm; his gaze became fixed on Furan Ka's lake-blue eyes, her high, elegant nose, her fair, delicate skin, and her glossy, crimson lips—he momentarily forgot he needed to escape.

The lust induced by "Beatrice's Necklace" did not directly threaten Morlan Avini's life, so it did not trigger "Mirror Substitute," and Morlan Avini himself had no time to activate it voluntarily—now, desire had swelled beyond control.

(End of Chapter)