As a devil who collected countless kinds of souls, Mephisto's knowledge was extensive. He recognized Morin's gesture immediately.
It was asking for money.
It was just...
After speaking so righteously and indignantly, still wearing a virtuous expression, he was now openly reaching out for cash.
Your shamelessness is on par with us devils.
Mephisto spoke again, sincerely this time.
"If you came to hell, you'd do very well."
Given Morin's strength, his lack of shame, and his ability to turn hostile and unreasonable at will, he really would thrive there.
It was a high-quality endorsement.
From the Lord of Hell himself.
"I might visit in the future," Morin smiled lightly. "So? Have you thought about it?"
"About what?"
"Give me money, and I might consider dropping my revenge against you."
"Get lost," Mephisto snapped. "Do you think just because I look like an old man, I actually am one? My memory is excellent. I have never targeted a single Asian-let alone a Chinese person. You're trying to trick me like an idiot!"
"Why?" Morin became interested.
He'd been casually trying to fleece Mephisto anyway. Whether it worked didn't matter.
Since he'd already been exposed, there was no embarrassment to feel.
"What did Asians ever do to you?"
"Are you pretending, or do you really not know?" Mephisto looked at him strangely. "You Asians-especially the Chinese-are not under our jurisdiction."
"There's such a rule?" Morin's interest rose. "Tell me more."
"You... really don't know?" Mephisto hesitated, trying to judge whether Morin was mocking him.
"I really don't."
Morin looked sincere. Very much like a diligent student.
"Like I'd believe a ghost like you." Mephisto snorted. "A large part of your power clearly comes from over there. You don't know about Hades from Chinese mythology? Impossible."
"Tch, you caught me." Morin waved dismissively. "But so what? I am from there."
While speaking, Morin was already thinking.
His understanding of China in this world was almost blank.
Movies barely mentioned it. As for the wider universe... Kunlun existed, but its presence and strength were laughable.
Too weak.
Which meant it was probably fake.
Now Mephisto was saying Hades existed, and hell couldn't interfere.
That meant it was powerful.
So...
Did the Celestial Court exist too?
Maybe he should take a look later.
"Heh." Mephisto sneered. "Then we've reached the key point. What do you want? Since you're from the East, you shouldn't interfere in Western affairs."
"Is that a rule? Who made it?" Morin sounded deliberately arrogant.
"It's a tacit rule!" Mephisto snapped. "Are you representing the East in a declaration of war?"
"Don't pin such a big label on me," Morin said calmly.
He'd almost admitted it.
But there was no benefit in stirring that hornet's nest.
Too many unnecessary variables.
"I only represent myself."
"You think I'd believe that?" Mephisto became even more convinced. "The Ancient One is also from the East. You're clearly acting under their orders!"
Morin: "..."
No one believed the truth these days.
Not even devils.
"Stop it. I haven't even met the Ancient One," Morin shook his head. "I have no relation to them."
"Heh, anxious now?" Mephisto smiled coldly. "Do you think denying it works? I've thought it through. The only possibility is that the Ancient One bypassed the contract and sent you to stop me."
"Then why not tell Heaven?" Morin spread his hands, full of disdain. "They'd be happy to deal with you."
"Heaven can't act," Mephisto smiled faintly. "Didn't they tell you?"
"So they let you offend me without telling you everything?"
"You're being used, kid."
"Interested in working with me?"
"Offending you doesn't matter," Morin replied coolly. "But being used?"
"Working with you is impossible."
"But you can tell me the story."
He was already analyzing.
So Heaven couldn't act.
That explained a lot.
No angels stopping contracts. No intervention when Blackheart killed a priest.
Not that Heaven couldn't descend.
Even demons could.
So it had to be restrictions.
Contracts.
Deals.
Right-Mephisto gained control of the Spirit of Vengeance by tricking a great angel.
So the movie and comic timelines were still loosely connected.
While Morin was thinking, Mephisto answered.
"Information from a devil isn't free."
He didn't bother tempting Morin.
The person in front of him looked young, but was clearly an old monster.
The files had to be fake.
No one that young should be this strong, this calculating, this shameless.
Different prey required different tactics.
With ordinary people, Mephisto tempted and led them.
With Morin, he traded interests.
"I need something of equal value," Mephisto smiled, rubbing his fingers exactly like Morin earlier.
"Do you take me for an idiot?" Morin sneered. "I know your goal."
"You just know something I don't."
"That knowledge doesn't benefit me."
"Even if I never know, nothing changes."
"But if I do know, it might damage my relationship with the Ancient One."
"Isn't that exactly what you want?"
He deliberately emphasized "the Ancient One."
Mephisto noticed.
Of course, Morin knew the Ancient One wouldn't care.
If they had cared, they would've acted already.
Which meant they tacitly approved.
That alone was reassurance.
Still, Morin never trusted the future blindly.
Plans moved forward regardless.
"So why should I pay you for something that might hurt my relationship with the Ancient One?" Morin sneered. "Don't use mortal tricks on me. I'm not like them."
"Not even curious?" Mephisto narrowed his eyes.
This mattered.
A strong individual, who had already tricked a Lord of Hell twice.
Would pride crack?
Resentment show?
Morin answered quickly.
"I am curious. I just don't care."
"If you insist on telling me, I won't stop you."
"So you want it for free," Mephisto said darkly.
"I don't like free things," Morin waved his hand. "If someone insists on giving me something, I consider it carefully."
"The choice is yours."
"Fine. Then trade for something else," Mephisto pressed. "Don't interfere in Johnny's matter."
"This isn't a trade," Morin shook his head, glancing at the battle below. "Afterward, arresting them for property damage sounds reasonable."
"We signed a contract! You cannot interfere with Blackheart!"
"Then I'll arrest Johnny," Morin said flatly. "Once Blackheart acts against humans, I arrest them all."
"Fine," Mephisto snapped. "Don't interfere this time."
He still had a trump card.
He would repay everything later.
"Deal." Morin nodded.
He hadn't planned to interfere anyway.
This improvisation had already yielded more than expected.
They signed.
Interestingly, Mephisto added Duke's clause himself.
Using it as a template.
A devil's adaptability was impressive.
"Very good," Mephisto smiled, finally in control again.
"And now-since we have a deal-here's the information."
Find Advance chapters
And for More Fan fiction
👇
👇
[Support link: pat reon.com/RioRaRyu]
------------
More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 250 power stones = Bonus Chapter
Give me more Power Stones
------------