After speaking, Chu Feng looked directly behind Butler Martin. Several people dressed as church clergy were there, staring at him with puzzled expressions.
"Mr. Chu, allow me to introduce you. These gentlemen are clerics from The Holy See, here at Miss Valenta's request to provide assistance," Butler Martin hurriedly explained, noticing Chu Feng's confused gaze.
It seems the Sealing Formation inside the villa was their handiwork! Chu Feng, lost in thought, gave the group a slight smile and a polite nod.
"Thank you for your efforts. Please enter the villa and confirm the Evil Spirit's situation," Butler Martin politely requested.
"Of course, Mr. Martin. Rest assured," the leading cleric answered calmly. After giving Chu Feng another inscrutable glance, he led the way towards the villa.
"Mr. Chu, you can take a car back to the main villa now. I'll notify Miss Valenta once everything is confirmed."
"Alright, I'll go back and wait for news then."
With nothing else to do, Chu Feng got into a car, and the driver took him back to the estate's main villa.
About half an hour later, while Chu Feng was idly eating fruit from a table in the drawing-room, the door opened again with a faint sound.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Chu! Thank you for killing that Evil Spirit and avenging my father!" Miss Valenta exclaimed, walking in briskly. She was extremely emotional and gave Chu Feng a big hug.
Chu Feng, experiencing such an enthusiastic embrace from a foreigner for the first time, felt genuinely awkward. "Er... Miss Valenta, it was what I should do."
After a moment, Miss Valenta finally released him. Seeing Chu Feng's embarrassed expression, a captivating smile spread across her radiant face. "Chu, you can call me Tatyana from now on."
"Okay, Tatyana."
Hearing Chu Feng use her first name, Miss Valenta—now Tatyana—seemed even more pleased.
"By the way, Chu, aside from the ten million US dollars, do you have any other requests?" Tatyana, clearly in high spirits, asked with a charming laugh, looking at Chu Feng.
"Tatyana, if possible, could you help me obtain permanent residency?"
"Just that?" Tatyana looked at Chu Feng, somewhat shocked.
"Yes, just that. As long as it doesn't affect my upcoming work in America."
"Don't you want US citizenship? If you wanted it, that could be arranged very easily!"
Chu Feng shook his head at Tatyana's suggestion. I plan to return to my homeland eventually!
"No, thank you, Tatyana. That's my only request."
"Well, alright then. The documents will be delivered to you tomorrow." Seeing Chu Feng's determined gaze, Tatyana reluctantly agreed.
"Thank you for your help. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." With that, Chu Feng stood up, ready to depart.
"Wait, Chu, take this!" Tatyana said, handing Chu Feng a card with only a phone number on it. "This is my personal mobile number. Remember to call me if you need any help!"
"Oh, and one more thing!" Tatyana suddenly leaned in and quickly pecked Chu Feng on the lips. "Don't overthink it. It's just a special reward!"
With that, she turned and left the drawing-room, her charming figure swaying.
What's this? Was I just teased by a rich lady?
Once Chu Feng was alone in the drawing-room, the awkward expression on his face vanished completely. He let out a soft chuckle. "Heh, whether you're being sincere or just playing around, 'no initiative, no refusal, no responsibility'—that's my motto for this life!"
His objectives for the trip accomplished, Chu Feng left Valenta Manor, satisfied.
「Meanwhile, on the second floor of Valenta Manor's main villa.」
"Madam, was it worth all this?" Daisel asked.
"Daisel, the world isn't what it used to be," Tatyana replied. "The family needs a pillar, someone to ensure the Valenta name endures in this era of resurgent gods and demons."
"An Easterner?" Skepticism filled the butler's voice.
"Heh." Tatyana chuckled softly. "He accomplished what the entire American Exorcism community couldn't. Isn't that enough?" She gazed out the window, her eyes distant, watching the car carrying Chu Feng slowly drive away from the main villa.
"Then why not keep him at Valenta Manor? What if something happens to him out there?" Butler Martin asked, puzzled.
"My father once taught me that a bird coddled in a nest can never become a mighty dragon soaring through the heavens. If he perishes prematurely, it only proves he isn't the one I need."
"But will he still be useful to us in the future?"
Hearing Butler Martin's question, Tatyana's expression turned cold. "Daisel, put aside your arrogance. Remember, it's not that he needs us; we need him. Sometimes, humility and discretion are essential for survival."
"Yes, Madam. I will remember."
「At the entrance to Valenta Manor.」
"James, why are you still here?" Chu Feng asked, surprised as he stepped out of the main gate. He had immediately spotted the thin figure pacing by the yellow taxi.
James ignored Chu Feng's question. Seeing Chu Feng emerge from the gate, he rushed up, his voice brimming with excitement. "How did it go, Chu? Did you succeed? Did you complete Miss Valenta's commission?"
"Of course. It was a breeze!"
"YAHOO!" James yelled, leaping into the air. He started jumping around and shouting gleefully, almost like an overjoyed child.
"Alright, James, calm down. It's only half a million US dollars. Is it really worth all this fuss?" Chu Feng remarked. Clearly, having just pocketed ten million US dollars, he was feeling rather pleased with himself.
"Chu, you wouldn't understand! With this half a million US dollars, I just need to save a little more, and I can buy a really nice house in Queens!"
Hearing James mention buying a house, Chu Feng paused. That's right, don't I need a house too? If I want to grow my Exorcism business, I'll definitely need my own base of operations.
"James, what are property prices like in New York?"
"Chu, are you thinking of buying property too?" James asked, surprised.
"That's right. I've decided to open a private Exorcism Agency, so I'll need a place to operate from. Do you have any suggestions?"
James thought for a moment. "Chu, I'd recommend buying a detached house in Queens, in an area close to Manhattan."
"Oh? Why there specifically?"
"Chu, you don't know America well," James said, shrugging and spreading his hands. "While people respect the abilities of an Exorcist, it doesn't mean they want one living next door."
"Besides," he added, "you'll want future clients to be as generous as Miss Valenta, right?"
Chu Feng nodded firmly in agreement.