Chapter 41: Only Two Men Left Again
"I really don't hope that the person who was discussing the philosophy of life earlier is the same person as the one in front of me now, with his leg propped up while playing games... Do you have a split personality?" Xia Mi pushed open the door to Ji's room and saw him sitting in front of the monitor, one foot propped up on the chair, frantically pressing buttons on a controller in this peculiar manner.
"Miss Xia Mi, you flatter me. Work and life should be kept separate, and as for the split personality thing, I think you're more likely to have one, don't you?" Ji answered Xia Mi's question without taking his eyes off the screen. He was focusing, focusing on playing Halo 2. One had to admit, there were quite a few good games in this era.
"Stop playing for a second. Someone has snuck in. I don't believe you didn't notice. Is there some kind of arrangement?"
Ji dropped the controller, stood up, and stretched. The expression on his face seemed to show he was still enjoying the game. He turned his head to look at Xia Mi. Hmm, no matter what season it was, she always liked to wear a white nightgown.
"Angers gave me a call. He asked me to let some people in, saying that Chu Zihang next door is a good seed that he has his eye on. The people who came are here for recruitment." Ji walked over to Xia Mi, who was leaning against the doorframe, and patted her head. Dragon King Miss had very nice hair; it felt comfortable to touch, and there was a fragrance when close to her.
The most important thing was that she basically didn't resist; at most, she would just shake her head.
"Then what if our secret is discovered? You're still hiding a dragon and a daughter of a noble family here, you know."
"Have I ever told you about the knowledge of Uniqueness?" Ji asked.
Xia Mi raised an eyebrow: "I'd love to hear the details."
It seems he hadn't...
A Pale light flashed, and a black polearm scythe appeared in Ji's hand. Xia Mi had been knocked out by this thing before; the authority of Tranquility was just so useful.
"Uniqueness is the key to ascending to a True God. It is the manifestation of the authority of that Pathway. Only by accommodating the Uniqueness can one truly grasp the authority, but one must become a True God to possess the status." The scythe spun in Ji's hand, the dark aura emanating from it making one feel both fear and tranquility—it was very contradictory.
"This is the external manifestation of the Uniqueness of the Darkness Path, which is the same path as Lu Mingfei's. The authorities are Concealment, Misfortune, and Tranquility. Since it is my adjacent path, I can exert some of the authority without accommodating it, barely reaching the Sequence 1 level."
"With the authority of Concealment, there's almost no need to worry about anything leaking out, but that's only limited to ordinary people. For beings like you whose strength doesn't match your status, perhaps it could be broken through with enough time and effort."
Xia Mi nodded thoughtfully: "Got it! It means that even if they know things they shouldn't, you can make them not know them, unless someone with too much time on their hands goes and dispels that effect."
"Miss Xia Mi is incredibly clever and breathtakingly beautiful." The scythe vanished, and Ji applauded for Xia Mi.
"Then, with Chu Zihang going to Cassell College, how will he learn things from you?"
"Lu Mingfei will go later, and it's possible I will go too. Angers still owes me some dragon-slaying bounties, and I recall I have an honorary professor position, right? As for you, there's no need to go." Lu Mingfei and Chu Zihang were on good terms now; if there was any missing knowledge, Lu Mingfei could fill him in, but the potions would have to be prepared by him when he returned.
"Hmm? Why? I want to go with you! Don't even think about ditching me; you said you would ensure my safety." The girl pouted, put her hands on her hips, and narrowed her eyes. Ji was terrified by this combo.
...
"Chu Zihang, born on June 1, 1990. On July 3, 2004, encountered a suspected Dragon King target on the elevated highway outside the city and awakened his bloodline."
The old man sitting across from Chu Zihang was wearing a crisp black suit, but his aged face was covered by an oxygen mask that hid half his face, and there was a faint wheezing sound when he spoke.
"That's correct, right, Chu Zihang?"
"Yes." A few days earlier, Chu Zihang had been informed by Chu Tianjiao that someone from Cassell College would be coming to interview him. According to his dad's description, the person in front of him should be Professor Schneider, the head of the Execution Department.
'Son! Go show them just how outstanding you are!' That's what his dad said when he dropped him off at the hotel.
"According to the judgment of the Execution Department's Concealment Special Agent, you are at least an A-grade Hybrid. He has high hopes for you. Now, let me see your eyes; let me see what kind of radiance you can unleash."
Chu Zihang nodded. He closed his eyes and then suddenly opened them; a pair of brilliant Golden Eyes replaced his original light chestnut-colored eyes.
"Not bad, a very dazzling radiance. Your father didn't misjudge you." Schneider nodded. He didn't just feel the pressure of the Golden Eyes; there were some other things he didn't know about.
Not long ago, Chu Zihang had ascended to Sequence 8 'Pugilist'. Under the transformation of the potion and the reinforcement of his bloodline, his various abilities far surpassed his father, Chu Tianjiao. He didn't even need Chu Tianjiao to teach him how to use weapons; the Giant Pathway was naturally a master of using weapons.
"Next, you will head to the preparatory class of Cassell College to receive tutoring in various subjects. Once you meet the age requirement, you can head to the academy's headquarters, but I must ask you a question first."
"Why do you want to join Cassell College?"
Dad said I should go, so I came.
"Because of some coincidence, my dad and I escaped from the elevated highway. I think the Dragon King on the elevated highway will come after us again. I need power—power that can fight against the Dragon King." Chu Zihang's gaze was firm; it seemed as if he really was joining Cassell College to become stronger.
"Senior Brother, go with peace of mind. I will tell you everything Master taught me. However, Master said that if you want to ascend after digesting your potion, you still have to come back. The potion must be prepared and consumed fresh. By the way, Senior Brother, how did you convince your family?" Lu Mingfei was chatting with Chu Zihang on the computer; they were only separated by a few houses.
"Thanks in advance, Lu Mingfei. It did take some time to explain it to my family. Dad wants me to go to Cassell College; he's quite afraid of Master and always feels it's not good for me to be too close to you guys."
"Uncle Chu is really something. Sigh, I heard from Master that he was specifically sent to monitor me. Is he still watching from nearby right now?"
"Probably. Not long after I finished talking to him on the phone, he arrived at the entrance of the residential complex..."
...
"Chu Zihang, catch." When seeing Chu Zihang off, Ji tossed him a copper whistle.
"If you encounter something you can't solve, blow it. My messenger will help you, or you can come to pass a message to me in special circumstances."
"If you have any questions, remember to call and ask me. Remember to play the role more to digest it, and don't listen to the whispers in your ears." Ji made a telephone gesture and put it to his ear.
Chu Zihang nodded, said thank you, and turned to get on the car heading to Beijing.
"Alright, now the house is full of girls again. It's just Lu Mingfei and me, the two guys. It's pretty awkward." Ji shrugged, looking at Xia Mi beside him.
"Hmph, aren't you guys having the time of your lives staying with beautiful girls every day?"
"It is indeed very pleasing to the eyes."
Chapter 42: Let That Pathetic Pawn Rest
"I would welcome you quite a bit if you didn't pause time while I'm playing games."
"Lu Mingze."
The image on the monitor froze, and no matter how much Ji pressed the buttons on the controller, there was no response. He simply tossed the controller onto the desk, stood up, and walked to the windowsill to open the glass door.
The Little Devil, dressed in a suit with a rose pinned to it, sat on the railing of the windowsill facing outward. His appearance was gradually becoming less like Lu Mingfei's; Lu Mingfei had become quite mature, while Lu Mingze remained in his original youthful form.
"Is there something you need to tell me in person? Where is Jude Mai?"
"Maiyi is still working overtime, so I have to tell you personally, Mr. Administrator." The Little Devil turned his head to glance at him, then pushed down with his hands, performing a graceful backflip onto the windowsill.
"Nice move, quite handsome. So, what is it exactly?"
"It's about Japan."
"Sheqi Eight Families?" Ji frowned, the smile fading from his lips.
"They are preparing to conduct some experiments on that imprisoned princess. Heh, that hiding coward still can't resist the temptation." Lu Mingze walked into Ji's room, looking around. He picked up a figurine from the shelf and looked under its skirt...
"Herzog is merely a pawn of Macallan—Pride, cunning, greed, pathetic. Thank you for the intelligence; I will go and make him stop." Ji snatched the figurine from Lu Mingze's hand, wiped it off, and placed it back in its original spot.
After the figurine was taken back, Lu Mingze pursed his lips and said, "Ling and Brother have been getting along quite well lately. I've unsealed some memories for Brother; I hope they can make progress faster."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Hoping you'll play matchmaker for them?" Lu Mingze winked playfully.
Ji sat back down at the computer desk, picked up the controller, and waved his hand at Lu Mingze to shoo him away. "Matters of the heart cannot be rushed."
"Just like you and Jörmungandr?"
"..."
Knock, knock, knock.
"Who is it? Daring to disturb this young lady's rest." A slightly lazy voice came from the room. Rationally speaking, a Dragon Kind doesn't need to rest, so was she acting?
"Can I come in? Xia Mi?" Ji stood outside Xia Mi's door and knocked. He didn't want to go in and see something he shouldn't, though it seemed he had already seen it all, hadn't he?
"It's the Bastard Boss... Come in. Little Xia Mi isn't wearing any clothes, it's just convenient."
Ji knew Xia Mi was talking nonsense again. He pushed the door open and walked in. Sure enough, Xia Mi was lying on the bed, browsing something on her laptop, fully dressed.
"It's not often that Boss comes to find me on his own initiative. What's the matter?" Xia Mi's gaze didn't leave the computer screen. Ji leaned over to see what she was browsing.
"Hunter Website? Where did you get that?"
"It's a secret~" Xia Mi winked at him.
"Alright, will you accompany me to Japan again tomorrow?"
"What is the Bastard Boss going to Japan for again? Aren't there so many figurines in your room that you can't even display them all? Do you want to go buy more games to play?" Xia Mi rolled her eyes at Ji.
"To deal with a certain pathetic pawn; he's been a bit too active. And by the way... a date?"
"A date?" Xia Mi turned to look at Ji, trying to read something from his face, but Ji's smile was full of seriousness.
"That's wonderful! Is the Bastard Boss finally going to start pursuing little Xia Mi? I've waited so long! So excited, so excited!" Miss Xia Mi twisted and turned on the bed in joy.
Ji held down her head, stopping Xia Mi, who was wriggling like a maggot on the bed. "Quiet down, Ling next door is probably asleep. The main thing is, I just feel that us going on like this isn't a solution; playing guessing games here is truly a bit abstract..."
"Zhisheng, you've returned from your advanced studies at Cassell College. How did you find it?"
"The teaching at the headquarters does indeed have its merits, and their research on Dragon Kind is deeper than ours. It's just a pity that I didn't have the opportunity to participate in missions to suppress pure-blooded Dragon Kind."
An old man and a young man walked one after the other. The old man had a kind face, clear eyes, and an upright posture; the young man had delicate features, a sturdy build, and his eyes were slightly lowered.
"You already know about the matter regarding Eriyi, right?" the old man walking in front asked gently.
"Are we really going to perform that kind of experiment on Eriyi? It's too cruel for her. Dad, how could you agree?" The young man didn't understand. Clearly, that girl was like a daughter to the old man before him; why would he agree to such a plan?
"Zhisheng, the God is about to awaken. What happened to Eriyi was something none of us expected. Her bloodline had always been maintained by a special serum, but from that day on, it became completely stabilized. With just blood samples, we cannot know the full picture..." The old man stood still for a long time before turning around and placing his hand on the shoulder of the young man behind him.
"We must uncover enough of Its secrets before the God awakens, so that we can have the greatest chance of success—to kill the God!"
"Is it necessary to go to such lengths?" The young man's eyes were hesitant. He didn't want that girl to be treated this way; she was already pitiful enough being used as a weapon. She had no life of her own.
"Zhisheng, when you sit in this position in the future, you will understand. Sacrifice is necessary... *Cough cough!*" The old man coughed violently a few times.
"Dad? What's wrong?" The young man supported the old man as they slowly walked forward.
"Dad is old now. You need to grow up quickly so I can pass the position of Family Head to you..."
At a noodle shop not far from Genji Heavy Industries, Ji was sitting at the dining table waiting for his lunch. Now, he said to Xia Mi with a hint of smugness, "That guy has been targeted by death. He will slowly rot and wither. The Sheqi Eight Families will no longer be under his control on the surface. Heh."
"You just sit here, looking like you haven't done anything, yet you've settled everything? Then why did you call me here? Are we really just here for a date?" Miss Xia Mi also ordered a bowl of miso ramen. She sat opposite Ji, watching the mischievous smile on his face.
"Why not? We can get a hotel room tonight, go see Tokyo Tower or Meiji Jingu tomorrow, and then head to Akihabara to bring Lu Mingfei and the others some good stuff..."
"A... a hotel room?! No! That's too fast! We haven't even really held hands yet!" Xia Mi shook her head frantically like a cat with its fur standing on end.
"What are you thinking? Two rooms. You have no chest and no butt; how could I possibly have ideas about you so quickly?"
During the conversation, two bowls of noodles were served. Ji ignored Xia Mi's ruffled appearance, picked up his own bowl, and started eating directly.
"The Bastard Boss doesn't know how to talk at all! I'm ignoring you!" Xia Mi also picked up her noodles and slurped them up fiercely.
"Hmph! I'll eat more in the future. When I grow up a bit more, I'll make you fall for me, you pervert!"
Chapter 43: Not Understanding Romance
Xia Mi bounced along the streets of Tokyo, basking in the morning sun. Ji followed behind her, smiling as he watched her look around. From a distance, one would never guess that these two were walking together, as their styles of dress were worlds apart.
Xia Mi was dressed in normal, casual attire, while Ji looked like a European from the last century: a double-breasted black trench coat, a high-crowned silk top hat with a slightly curled brim, and a cane in his hand that he did not seem to have any use for.
According to him, this was his most classic look, and it made people think he was pretentious, causing them to lower their guard. Xia Mi said he was just putting on airs because no one could actually threaten him.
In truth, Ji was imitating the Fool, believing it would bring him some luck.
Ji was in a very good mood today. Yesterday, he had killed an avatar of a contemptible person. The Sheqi Eight Families were probably in chaos now, and they would likely have to let Minamoto no Chisei act as a proxy for the time being. He wondered how angry the person behind it all would be.
With that thought, he hummed a song that did not belong to this era: "Today, tomorrow, looking forward to every day, no need for forever..."
"What is Bastard Boss humming? Aren't we out on a date? Why are we just walking around here? A date should have flowers and romantic scenes!" Xia Mi ran back in front of Ji, hands on her hips, glaring at him.
"Apologies, I do not really understand. I have not read much romantic literature before. How about Miss Xia Mi chooses the location?" Faced with Xia Mi's accusation, Ji could only raise his hands in surrender.
"You dress like a gentleman, yet you do not understand anything. Hmph, did you not say yesterday you wanted to go to that shrine thing? Let's go see it, then."
"Hey, slow down!"
Xia Mi grabbed Ji's hand and started running. Ji could only tuck his cane under his other arm and steady his hat to keep it from being blown away. Did Xia Mi even know where she was going?
Clearly, she did not.
Ji took off his hat, patted it, and put it back on, looking around before asking about the thing that had been puzzling him: "I recall the Meiji Shrine is supposed to be in the green space in the center of Tokyo? Where did you drag me to? Is this even Tokyo?"
"Hehe, I thought a place like a shrine would be in the suburbs."
Ji covered his face and shook his head from side to side: "That's just great, Miss Xia Mi. Thanks to your brilliant move, we have to take an insanely expensive taxi to get back."
"Why do we have to take a taxi? Can't you open that 'Door' thing? And it is not like we are short on money... Hmm?" Xia Mi, who was originally arguing with Ji about taxi fares, seemed to sense something. She narrowed her eyes and looked toward the distant mountains. "I sense something dirty over there... something impure mixed into the bloodline."
"I can sense it too. It should be the local Hybrid faction, the Fierce Ghost Sect. Pawns manipulated by a pawn, pitiful and sad. I wonder what they are plotting."
"You are not thinking of dealing with them, are you? Did you not say it was a date?" Xia Mi glared at Ji, her hand reaching toward his waist.
"Hiss... Is this an innate talent that all girls have? Why are you able to pinch me so painfully?" I am a Sequence 2 Angel...
Xia Mi looked triumphant: "Hmph, this is the king of earth and mountain's innate mastery of force. So, are we going to deal with them? Some low-bloodline Hybrids will not take much time."
"No, let's leave it to the Sheqi Eight Families. I sense they have not tainted themselves with mortal blood for now. Let the locals handle it themselves; that is their own conflict." Ji took Xia Mi's hand and walked toward the urban area behind them: "For now, let's think about whether we are going to the Meiji Shrine."
...
"To be honest, now that I am actually here, I do not feel much. Maybe it is because I imagined it too beautifully." Ema wooden plaques hung on the rack, with all sorts of writing on them representing people's hopes and blessings for the future, though most were in Japanese, which Ji could not read.
"What is the point of writing these?" Xia Mi also picked up a wooden plaque, preparing to write something and hang it up.
"In terms of practicality, it is not as good as praying to me. At least I can actually respond." Ji walked away, looking unconcerned; he also prepared to take a wooden board to write something for the sake of it.
"Bastard Boss is really not romantic at all..." Xia Mi muttered softly. She quickly finished writing and hung it above the other Ema.
Hmph, cannot let that bastard see what I wrote.
"Finished? I just got my board." After getting a board from the staff, Ji returned to Xia Mi's side. The staff looked at this strangely dressed man with a puzzled gaze. Ji picked up a pen and thought for a moment before starting to write. Xia Mi was curious about what he was writing, so she leaned in to take a look.
May humanity transcend all, may reason prevail over madness.
Xia Mi curled her lips: "Not romantic at all."
"You have said that many times today. I really do not understand romance. You can teach me in the future." Ji habitually patted the dragon head.
The itinerary for today was set to end here. A strangely dressed man and a normally dressed woman prepared to return to the hotel to rest, even though they had only visited one place...
"Hey Boss, let me ask you something. Can gods die?" On the way back to the hotel, Xia Mi stopped in her tracks, turned around, and asked Ji.
"Did the Black King not die?" Ji replied simply.
"He will always return, and he is coming back soon."
"Nothing can escape Death. Gods are no exception." Ji said it nonchalantly. After all, two generations of Death had died. If even Death could die, who else could escape it?
"What if something happens to you one day... Can you come back to life..." Xia Mi asked this question softly, looking very worried.
Ji was choked by Xia Mi's words: "Can you not think of something positive, girl? I am the Angel of Death walking among men. Just as you said, there is currently no existence in this world that can threaten me."
"I am scared, Ji..." Under the setting sun, the young girl gripped the man's arms tightly in front of her. Panic was revealed in her eyes, and she bit her lip unconsciously.
"Do not be afraid." Ji replied with a smile.
"Did I not say? I will protect you. Even if I die, the me after Death will not have a lower status or reduced strength; I just need a body that can carry me. And you, Miss Xia Mi, you can do it. You are a Beyonder of the Earth Pathway; you can forge a body for me that is sufficient to carry me."
"Can I do it? How?" Xia Mi asked eagerly.
Ji's words were undoubtedly a shot of adrenaline for Xia Mi, but she was still stuck at Sequence 8 'Doctor'. If she wanted to forge a body for an Angel, she had to at least become an Angel herself first.
"Sequence 2 'Desolate Matriarch'. Once you grow to this stage, you can forge bodies for Angels. Miss, keep acting. If we really suffer casualties, you will be our backup plan."
Ji rubbed Xia Mi's head and then said: "Talking about such things during a date, Miss Xia Mi is not very romantic either."
Chapter 44 "Death"?
"So you're saying a little Russian beauty has been clinging to you, flirting with you every day with suggestive remarks? Ming Fei, have you been sleeping with your pillow propped up too high lately? Damn! When did you sneak into my house?"
Lu Mingfei was playing a game while chatting with a netizen. The person on the other end was trying to get his attention by speaking Chinese with a heavy accent, but Lu Mingfei still took him down easily.
"I'm not making this up, Ronald Tang. You have no idea how shocking it is to have an ice queen say things like that with a straight face. Sigh, I don't even know how to respond to her." Lu Mingfei created a new room, ready for another round with his opponent.
"What's there to be confused about? She's practically throwing herself at you, just take her down! Hey, hey, hey, I'm not playing anymore. I've been losing all day. Did you start cheating, kid? We used to tie all the time." The person on the other end egged Lu Mingfei on, probably wanting to see some drama.
"Sigh, it's just that I don't know what she's after... Forget it, I can't explain it to you. I'd better go ask my master."
"Hey, now that you mention it, I'm wide awake. Is your master really that amazing? The way you talk about him, he sounds like a..." The person on the other end seemed to be thinking of a word to describe him. "A charlatan! Yes, a charlatan!"
Lu Mingfei naturally didn't mention that his master was a powerful Beyonder, or even arguably a god. He only talked about how his master taught him knowledge and encouraged him to improve, adding that his master was often mysterious.
"Hmph, my master is amazing, you better believe it. If he traveled back to ancient times, ten Xiang Yus—no, a hundred Xiang Yus wouldn't be enough to beat him."
"Who is Xiang Yu?" the person on the other end asked, confused.
"...And you call yourself Chinese? You don't even know who Xiang Yu is? The guy who could lift mountains and whose power shook the world."
"Oh~ I don't understand."
...
Knock, knock, knock.
Lu Mingfei knocked on Ji Eggers' door. Ji and Xia Mi had returned from Japan a few days ago, saying they went to do something important. But according to his senior sister, "Those two definitely have an affair. A dragon and some unknown species—just thinking about it is exciting!"
His master didn't move much, and his expression was basically always a smile. But Xia Mi was different; what she thought and what she did were very obvious. Even he could tell, let alone a super Telepathist with Profiling skills.
The door opened, but it wasn't Ji who appeared, but Xia Mi wearing a nightgown.
"Lu Mingfei? Here to find Ji? He's lying on the bed~ This guy is really fierce~"
Is this something I'm supposed to know?!
Lu Mingfei's pupils shook.
"Come in, Ming Fei. Don't listen to Xia Mi's nonsense. I'm doing serious work." Ji's voice came from the room behind Xia Mi, but Lu Mingfei really didn't dare to go in and be a third wheel.
"Master, I won't disturb you. You two carry on..." Lu Mingfei decided not to be a third wheel and quickly slipped back to his room.
"Hmph, the kid knows his place." Xia Mi closed the door, returned to the room, and pounced onto Ji's bed. Fortunately, Ji was quick-handed, or the computer would have fallen to the floor.
"Take it easy, Miss Dragon. I have serious work to do. Don't keep running over here; there are so many kids at home." Ji was browsing the Hunter Website that Xia Mi had shared with him, looking to see if there was any interesting news.
"Hmph! What could possibly be more attractive than a soft girl! Let me see too!" Xia Mi leaned in and saw that someone was actually posting an advertisement on the website:
The all-new open-world adventure role-playing game "Death" is heating up.
"What is this 'Death' thing... It's not what I think it is, right? Let me see~" Xia Mi used the red dot on the keyboard to seize control of Ji's cursor. Ji could only shake his head helplessly.
"'Death' is a brand-new open-world adventure game. The story takes place in a fantasy world known as 'Mystery'. In this world, those chosen by gods will be blessed and guide the power of authority. You will play a character named 'Ji Eggers'... Pfft... Hahahaha!" Seeing the familiar name, Xia Mi couldn't hold back and burst into laughter. Meanwhile, the protagonist of the story could only cover his face on the side.
"This is part of my Promotion Ritual... To make most people associate the name 'Ji Eggers' with Death and the like. Without using religion, this is the best method I could think of." Ji explained weakly.
"You really came up with that, Bastard Boss? Is the game even made yet? You're already starting promotions?"
"No, not even the promotional video is done. I just wanted to make sure as many people as possible are aware of it, so the promotional effort is high. You should be able to see it everywhere in a while. But to make it a smash hit, it will take at least a few years. Fortunately, we still have enough time." After snatching back cursor control, Ji resumed his'serious work' of finding fun.
"Hey, tell me about your arrangements. What is this ritual for?" After the control was snatched back, Xia Mi lay on the bed, propping her head up with one hand, looking at Ji.
"When consuming a potion of sequence 5 or higher, a Promotion Ritual is required. Otherwise, the surge of spirituality or the influence of other things will directly lead to a failed promotion. The ritual is to weaken the potion's influence. Of course, you can consume the potion directly without a ritual, but then it depends on luck. It's highly likely you won't promote, and even if you succeed, you'll probably have some issues." Ji briefly explained matters related to the Promotion Ritual and then continued browsing, while Xia Mi watched him from the side.
After a while, seemingly feeling it was too quiet, Ji initiated a conversation: "Heh, speaking of which, don't you think the administrator of this website is a lunatic? 'Nido'—isn't this just blatantly displaying his identity?"
"Odin. In your words, Bastard Boss, Macallan is quite a character." Ha Ji Mi commented sharply.
"He hides so deep in reality, yet logs in with his real name online. He's really not afraid of someone tracing the internet cable to go and deal with him."
"If the Bastard Boss can't find anything to say, you can come and have a deep discussion about life with little Xia Mi~" Xia Mi winked playfully.
Ji glanced at the girl's chest beside him and sighed secretly: "Forget it, Dragon King Miss, you should go back to your room and let me have some peace and quiet."
"..."
...
"You want me to help you use Profiling on memories you might have forgotten?"
After returning to his room, Lu Mingfei thought it over and felt something was off. However, he thought of his senior sister who had special abilities and wanted to see if she could help.
"Alright, I need some time. Relax your mind so I can delve into your spirit body to observe."
Lu Mingfei calmed his mind and nodded to indicate that Nono could begin. Nono closed her eyes and activated her deep Profiling and Telepathist abilities. She saw...
Get out!
The next moment, Lu Mingfei saw her suddenly collapse on the sofa and pass out.
Chapter 45: His Plot
Blood-red raindrops slowly trickled down the long black trench coat and dripped onto the ground, yet they failed to leave a single mark on the figure. The sky had been stained blood-red.
Ji had once watched an anime called "Berserk," which featured a sacrificial scene known as the Eclipse. Although there weren't a pile of faces with terrifying expressions appearing in the sky or on the ground right now, the atmosphere was quite similar.
On a towering iceberg in the distance, a massive black dragon lay prone. Its wings could drape all the way down to the foot of the mountain, and the flowing blood had dyed the entire peak red.
Humans, Dragon Kind, and intelligent creatures climbed onto the giant dragon's body; they cheered, they celebrated.
This was indeed a sacrifice, and the reward for the sacrifice was the beginning of a "New Era."
Would Xia Mi be in there?
Ji thought to himself.
"It's a shocking scene, but for a planetary-level creature to be swarmed to death by a sea of people, this guy is truly a bit embarrassing."
Ji found a spot to sit down and continued to watch the figures cheering and leaping on the dragon's corpse in the distance.
"The real situation definitely wouldn't be like this; I'm just running a simulation."
Lu Mingze had been standing behind Ji the entire time, and he, too, remained unstained by the blood rain from the sky.
"I remember that the paintings of the Black King at Cassell College feature a towering tree, the World Tree or the Heaven-reaching Jianmu that appears in various mythologies. Does that thing actually exist?"
Ji didn't turn around; he wanted to see if he could glean more information from the illusion constructed by the Little Devil.
"I don't know, it should exist. I am merely a clone split off from His schizophrenia, and I don't even have much of His memory, but I harbor the same hatred for those traitorous subjects..."
The World Tree. Legend in norse mythology says the black dragon Nidhogg coils around the roots of the World Tree, gnawing on them. If one day the roots of the World Tree are bitten through, 'Ragnarok' will arrive.
If the World Tree is the source of Nidhogg's power, wouldn't that be a bit like... 'Sefirah'?
"Interesting. The White King, who shares the same status, couldn't defeat Him, but eight weaker ones did. If this guy wasn't holding back, then there must be another plot."
For example, fully controlling the Sefirah.
Becoming an existence similar to half an Outer Deity.
If Nidhogg returns in seven years with the status of a half-Outer Deity, I must advance to Sequence 0 and possess the complete River of Eternal Darkness, and perhaps even attempt to accommodate the Darkness Uniqueness.
This move is truly ruthless, Mr. Black Dragon. I can't even imagine how Lu Mingfei was supposed to fight you according to the original plot.
"We cannot know. I only want my brother to seize that old thing's throne while killing as many of those traitorous subjects as possible."
I am skeptical of this idea; the success rate feels a bit low. If Lu Mingfei really did explode with power and kill the Black King in the end based on your plan, he must have been exposed to the light in the neighboring city. After all, people who have been exposed to the light really do explode with power under extreme emotional suppression.
"If there's nothing else to talk about, let me go back. I still want to play a bit of Battlefield."
Ji stood up and brushed off his clothes, even though nothing had stuck to them.
Lu Mingze walked to Ji's side and looked at the giant dragon lying on the distant mountain. "I can leave the king of earth and mountain alone, but I need you to make my brother stronger—strong enough to contend with the Dragon Kings—and then let him kill the remaining thrones with his own hands."
Ji glanced at the shorty beside him, was silent for a moment, and then asked.
"And what about you? What will you do?"
"I will provide help when my brother is truly out of options~ But with you here, my items might not sell well..."
Lu Mingze shook his head with a troubled expression.
"Is it necessary?"
"It's not really that necessary; as long as the result is good, that's all that matters~"
"Hmm, then let's end it here..."
Before Ji could finish his sentence, his vision flashed, and he was back in front of his computer desk.
"Damn, why are there only 300 troops left? This f***ing Lu Mingze."
Because there was a gap of several hundred troops compared to his opponent, Ji simply gave up on the game. He leaned back in his chair and pondered.
This Nidhogg is quite the character. Thinking about it just now, the more I think about it, the more plausible it seems.
Fine, fine, fine, you're playing dirty with me, huh...
"Xia Mi! Come here for a second!"
Ji shouted for Xia Mi. Wait, couldn't he just have the nearby spirits help him call out? He rated his ability to lose track of what to use when he had too many powers as poor.
Flip-flop, flip-flop...
The sound of slippers approached from afar until a girl pushed open the room door and pounced in.
"Is the Bastard Boss going to pick little Xia Mi tonight? So exciting, so thrilling!"
Honestly, the three girls living in this house were all quite abstract. One had red hair and was casual about everything; another had blonde hair and, despite looking cold, would occasionally blurt out outrageous statements; and now this brown-haired girl in the room was the culmination of it all.
"You're the king of trash talk, Miss Xia Mi. When it's actually time to pick you, you won't be willing. Close the door."
After turning off the computer, Ji walked to the bedside and sat down, waving his hand to signal Xia Mi to sit next to him.
Xia Mi gently sat down beside Ji. "Ugh, I'm not ready yet. Is there something you want to talk about?"
"Do you know where the Nibelungen of the King of Bronze and Fire is?"
"Norton and Constantine? I don't know right now. I remember it used to be in some very cold place? Hey, isn't it ridiculous that they use fire but live in a frozen wasteland?"
Xia Mi covered her mouth and laughed.
"I roughly know; it's in this country, under the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River."
"Eh? How did you find it?"
Xia Mi looked full of confusion.
Actually, your boss is also a high-dimensional observer.
"Some kind of intelligence? Do you think it's better to kill them or leave them alive?"
Xia Mi lowered her head, deep in thought.
"I think we can keep them. Norton and Constantine's alchemy attainments are extremely high. We should be quite short on weapons, right? I remember he has a set of super powerful weapons, the kind used to deal with us brothers and sisters."
"Mainly because, Boss, you are so powerful that those two weaklings can't beat you. You can just go and beat them into submission~"
Xia Mi clearly selectively forgot that she was the weakest among the Dragon Kings.
Ji nodded. "I also think keeping them is more useful. Are they very evil?"
"Evil... I wouldn't say so? It's just that their tempers are terrible! Really, really terrible! Everyone says Norton is the most like the old thing, but in reality, he just looks like him and shares the same temper."
Xia Mi leaned in and whispered when talking about Norton's temper. It was unclear who she was guarding against, or if this was just the proper way to talk behind someone's back.
"Lu Mingfei does need more powerful weapons. The light emitted when he uses the sword I gave him lowers his abilities. I hope that Norton and Constantine will be obedient and hand over the weapons."
Ji still decided to spare Ronald Tang's life, but he suddenly thought of something.
"Is that set of weapons effective against the Black King?"
"Probably... When fighting that old thing, I used one of the daggers from it, and it seemed to have a pretty good effect?"
To be injured by weapons of this level... The Black King is definitely acting!
Chapter 46: Tomb Raiding
An invisible barrier kept the river water at bay as two figures walked along the riverbed. Soon, the person wearing a black trench coat crouched down to feel around for something.
"There is a faint aura of Death below. It is certain that a Nibelungen exists here." Ji stood up and said to Xia Mi beside him.
"Hmm, what do you say? Should we just dig a hole straight down?" As the controller of earth elements, Xia Mi was already impatient.
"Be careful. This is a key national project."
"Heh heh, don't worry. The dam is far from here, and don't you trust the ultimate control the king of earth and mountain has over power~"
Before long, Xia Mi had dug a hole in the riverbed. It looked quite deep; she hadn't expected such a space to exist beneath the reservoir.
"I once read a novel that said, 'You are walking on a plain, and suddenly you encounter a wall. This wall is infinitely high, infinitely deep, infinitely far to the left, and infinitely far to the right. What is this wall?' The author's answer was 'Death'."
"Very apt. Death makes people feel so powerless, but the wall in front of us still falls a bit short of that."
Ji and Xia Mi walked up to a bronze wall that seemed to have no boundaries, though in reality, the edges were visible, just blocked by the rock walls.
"Bastard Boss, there is a living spirit above. We can enter from there." Xia Mi pointed to the wall above them, where a protruding outline could be seen.
"Then let's go, saves me from having to force an entry."
Xia Mi deactivated the Dustless Land and swam to the protruding living spirit. Ji floated up directly from the riverbed. Xia Mi looked at him with a puzzled expression, but he only shrugged.
The living spirit sensed the aura of the king. It struggled to open its mouth wide, creating a passage leading into the Bronze City. Xia Mi was gesturing wildly, showing off.
Precise mechanical structures, it was just like a mechanical watch; this was Ji's first impression after entering the Bronze City.
"Norton is a high-level mechanic. This is quite well put together."
Xia Mi, who was swimming ahead, turned back and looked at Ji with surprised eyes, presumably asking, 'Why can you speak underwater?' Ji only replied with a smile.
After swimming for a while, the two finally officially entered the Bronze City. The space was quite large, but there were many pits filled with skeletons, likely the dragon slayers who had come to crusade against the Dragon King in the past.
"The air isn't very fresh, and it seems someone is peeking at us?" Ji asked Xia Mi, but the Dragon King Miss was busy adjusting her soaked clothes. She looked very alluring, though her top was completely plastered to her body, making it impossible to see any curves.
"Two of them, they have dragon bodies, and they are peeking from the side. Should we call them out?" Xia Mi gave up on adjusting her clothes; she would just throw this set away later. Speaking of which, she felt very envious of the person next to her…
"Call them out. Let them lead the way, so we don't have to run around aimlessly."
Xia Mi stomped her foot heavily. Following a few loud bangs, two dragons several meters tall crawled out from the shadows in jerks, trembling slightly as they prostrated themselves on the ground.
"Where is Norton? Has he not hatched yet?" Xia Mi asked with an expressionless face and a cold voice, her eyes glowing with golden light…
The two dragons looked at each other, then looked left and right, but just wouldn't look at Xia Mi.
Are they looking for gold on the ground here? Ji thought, covering his head.
"Speak! Where is Norton!" Xia Mi radiated the majesty of a sovereign. The two dragons retreated, and one was pushed by the other, slowly walking out to say some gibberish that couldn't be understood.
After listening, Xia Mi glared at the two dragons, then turned back and shook her head in frustration. "He said Norton has already hatched and left, but they didn't even notice when it happened. Now only Constantine is left in the Nibelungen. These two guys probably won't take us there either. Tsk, if not for the thought that Norton might only have these two left, I would definitely have to teach these ill-mannered guys a lesson."
"I don't know where Norton is now…"
A few days ago, he was still playing StarCraft with Lu Mingfei and even lost several games. Ji found it funny when he thought about this.
"Are we leaving these two dragons here to watch the house? Ignoring them?"
"Leave them here. Let them watch over Constantine. These two brothers can only be of maximum use when they are together. What about that set of weapons of Norton's? That should be able to lead the way, right?"
The two dragons nodded, signaling the two to follow them.
"Hey, tell me about your past stories. We have nothing to do anyway." Xia Mi seemed to find it boring because the two dragons ahead were walking too slowly.
"What do you want to hear?"
"How did you grow up step by step?"
Ji paused for a moment and then continued walking forward. "From the time I woke up in that body to advancing to Sequence 2, it took me 5 years."
"The original owner of that body was sent to a country called Loen. It was considered peaceful there—heh, well, it was considered so."
"In the early stages, I digested and acted very slowly. Sequence 7 stuck me for 5 months, can you believe it? Later, I met someone… a very good person. His name was Azik Eggers."
Upon hearing this, Xia Mi turned her head and asked, "Same surname as you? Is he also a descendant of Death?"
Ji nodded. "He is the son of the previous Death. When I met him, he was already the 'Death Consul', and he always has been."
"His memory had problems. He only knew his name was Azik Eggers, but he didn't know what this name represented. He had once ruled the country on behalf of Death for a long time… There might have been a battle of true god-level entities behind this. I was only a Sequence 7 at the time; I didn't even dare to touch it."
"He really was a very good person. He taught me many things. Many of the abilities I use now are referenced from him, but he later fell into a deep sleep. I hope he is doing well now…"
Xia Mi listened intently, but Ji stopped talking at this point. Just as she was about to ask, she heard Ji say.
"It seems we've arrived. Is that the masterpiece of the King of Bronze and Fire?" Ji pointed to a box in front of them.
"Uh, I suppose so?" Xia Mi scratched her head. She didn't dare to confirm it either; after all, how many years ago was the last time she used that thing?
"Why don't you go touch it and see?"
Xia Mi narrowed her eyes and nudged Ji with her elbow. She stepped forward and touched the box. The box began to tremble slightly; the living spirit inside had sensed a noble bloodline.
Click!
Seven different weapons popped out in a fan shape: an eight-faced Han sword, a horse-chopping saber, a yatagan, a wakizashi…
Xia Mi pulled out the wakizashi. It was very short, but when she swung it to the side, the blade instantly became long and thin.
"Not bad, it has that flavor from back in the day~" Xia Mi seemed to really like this wakizashi. She held the blade horizontally, stroked it, and then handed it to Ji beside her.
"This thing seems to recognize bloodlines. Which one do you think those few at home will be able to pull out?" The wakizashi, which had turned into a long blade, trembled slightly in Ji's hand, as if it were afraid of his aura.
"At most, they'll pull out Sloth, right?" Xia Mi picked up the box and said to the two dragons, "I'll borrow this for now. If Norton comes back, remember to tell him, and tell him to come find me. Did you hear me!"
The two dragons nodded frantically.
Chapter 47: A Ring?
"It seems you all are far more capable than I imagined."
The coffee table surrounded by several sofas had been moved aside, and now what was being surrounded was a box—well, to be precise, it was actually a sword case.
It was currently trembling slightly, the living spirits inside yearning to be drawn, yearning to bathe in dragon blood.
Xia Mi and Ji leaned against the sofa, watching with great interest.
The others gathered around the sword case; Lu Mingfei could draw all seven swords, and Ling could as well, but Nono could only draw greed.
"Why? Lu Mingfei hasn't even awakened his dragon blood! The feeling of drawing this thing is like someone is pulling from the inside while you're trying to draw it." Nono used all her might, but only managed to make Sloth move a little.
In terms of bloodline, Nono was indeed the most ordinary one.
"Ming Fei, which one do you feel is most comfortable to use?" Ji, having watched for a long time, chose to ask Lu Mingfei which one he wanted to use first.
Lu Mingfei hesitated for quite a while, "Uh, the Han Jian, maybe?"
"It's Pride." Xia Mi calmly stated the sin represented by the Han Jian.
"What about Ling?"
"Sloth." Ling remained expressionless, her tone cold, feeling as if everyone owed her millions.
"So, I'm the one who can only draw three swords, so I have to choose last, right?" Nono crossed her arms in front of her chest and stared at Ji with dead fish eyes.
"Sorry Nono, after all, your limit is really a bit low."
"Then I'll take this Yatagan scimitar." Nono raised her hand and pointed at the sword case.
"What was that one again?"
"It should be Gluttony?" Xia Mi said uncertainly. "This set of weapons can only unleash its maximum power when used in combination, and don't use it often, especially you, Nono. Those whose dragon blood is not sufficient will be affected by the living spirits in the weapons if they use them too frequently."
"Actually, it's fine." Ji interrupted Xia Mi. "Nono is on the Thinker Pathway; her mental state will definitely be the most stable among us."
"Fine, but I still suggest using it with restraint." Xia Mi waved her hand and continued to lean on the sofa.
"I'll leave this set of swords in the living room; take them whenever you want to use them. It's not anything valuable anyway." To Ji, this set of weapons was only useful for others; him using these things would just be purely weakening himself, right?
"By the way, have you not finished acting as the Doctor yet? How long has it been?" Ji was worried about Xia Mi's acting progress. When he gave her the potion materials from Sequence 9 to 4, he thought Xia Mi would advance very quickly.
"Where am I supposed to act as a Doctor? My dear boss? Why don't you find some people for me to treat?" Xia Mi was speechless. Acting, acting—it's easy to say, but where was she supposed to find people to treat?
"Fine... I'll go ask Angers. They definitely have many patients, the kind that can't be cured. First, move my coffee table back, and throw this thing to the side." The seven deadly sins were tossed aside by Ji, just like the pitiful Arrodes.
...
Ji stood on the balcony illuminated by moonlight and called Angers, who was on the other side of the planet.
"Principal Angers? It should be good morning there, right?"
"Heh, Mr. Administrator, is there any important matter you wish to discuss by calling this old man at night?"
"Do you have any patients on your side who cannot be cured? The kind that are completely incurable, such as severed limbs, damaged internal organs, or mental trauma."
"What do you mean by that?" The voice on the other end of the phone became hesitant; Angers did not understand what Ji's game was.
"I can help you cure them."
"...Is this an experiment?"
"This is an 'acting' process, an 'acting' as a Doctor."
"I understand. I will consider it carefully."
Ji hung up the phone. Sequence 8 is enough to treat general severed limbs and destroyed internal organs, provided they are ordinary people who have not consumed potions. I hope Xia Mi can advance quickly; I always feel a bit uneasy... By the way, Nono and Ling have also been stuck at Sequence 8 for quite a while. I can understand 'Archaeologist', but 'Telepathist' shouldn't really be stuck for that long, right? Don't you have the ability of Profiling naturally?
"Ta-da! The top-tier beautiful girl, Miss Xia Mi, has arrived! Why are you calling me at this time of night, Boss? Can't control your own humanity?"
She was indeed a top-tier beautiful girl; this girl really knew how good-looking she was. She pushed the door open and walked into the room, sitting leisurely on Ji's bed.
"Come to the balcony, beautiful lady." Ji said softly to Xia Mi in the room, and the beautiful lady hopped over to the balcony.
"What's wrong? Why so mysterious?" Xia Mi clasped her hands behind her back, leaned her upper body forward, and tilted her head slightly to look at Ji.
In her impression, the young man in front of her really liked wearing black clothes. No matter where he was, he was basically dressed entirely in black, including now; he even wore a trench coat at home.
A square black box was held up in front of her by Ji.
"A belated birthday present."
"A birthday present... Boss, you really intended to give me a birthday." Xia Mi straightened up and looked at the small box in front of her. She reached out and touched it, then took it into her hands.
"Thank you, I like it very much." Xia Mi tilted her head and said to Ji with a smile.
"You haven't opened it yet."
"I like anything you give me~" I don't know where Dragon King Miss learned these cheesy pickup lines. However, on the surface, Ji didn't seem to react.
Damn, what kind of cheesy pickup line is that? This girl seems to have learned something; I was almost bewitched again.
"Open it and take a look."
Xia Mi opened the small box, and her eyes widened. Inside lay a silver ring inlaid with peridot.
"Codename 1-21, Door Pathway Sequence 4 'Secrets Sorcerer'. You are a Dragon King; after advancing to Sequence 7, you should be able to use it. The ability is very simple: random teleportation to any location above zero altitude on this planet."
"The teleportation ability of a demigod level makes it very difficult to interfere with. At the same time, because the ability is not considered strong, the negative effects are not strong either, so you can carry it with you at all times."
Ji paused for a moment and continued, "If one day you recite my esteemed name and I am unable to arrive, or if a worse situation occurs, use it. Random teleportation is nothing for you; there shouldn't be any place in the material world that can trap you."
"Stupid boss actually gave me a ring... Seriously, I don't even know what to say to you..." Xia Mi took out the ring and put it on the middle finger of her left hand. She was very confused because the ring fit perfectly. Why?
"Why is it such a perfect fit? This is something you obtained before, right?"
"It has a bit of a living characteristic and will automatically adapt to people it thinks are decent. It seems you are a very good fit."
"Stupid boss, come closer." Xia Mi seemed a bit shy, speaking with hesitation and doubt.
Ji smiled cheekily, "What? So touched that you want to kiss me?"
"...If you know, then don't say it out loud!!!"
Downstairs, by the windowsill, three people were opening the window to listen to the commotion above.
"Look, those two are being lovey-dovey again. Enough is enough. Lu Mingfei, don't you dare learn from them!" A certain Red-haired Miko was lecturing her junior brother...
...
Far away, over ten thousand kilometers away, Angers was pondering after Ji hung up the phone. He completely could not understand what Ji wanted to do. Acting? What does acting mean? Would Death want to learn how to be a Doctor?
Can it cure everything...
Chapter 48: Originating from the Earth
"Hey, Ming Fei, I've been having this dream lately. I can't see anything in it, but I hear a child's voice calling me 'brother' and saying that our home was stolen. I'm a bit puzzled—I don't have anything at home. Who would want to steal from me? I barely have enough to eat from one meal to the next as it is."
Lu Mingfei was, as usual, playing games in his room whenever he had free time. Ji said he was like a gloomy rat—perhaps 'rat' wasn't the most fitting description, but he was definitely gloomy.
Sometimes, the blonde girl would come to his room, and she had caught him a few times secretly gossiping about her to someone on QQ voice chat, though she didn't come today.
"Is that so? Hey, I happen to know a 'Psychiatrist' and someone who specializes in dreams. If you're feeling distressed, you can come over here. I can pay for your plane ticket. Hey! Take the high ground!" The Psychiatrist Lu Mingfei was referring to was naturally Nono, and the person who specialized in dreams was himself—at least he could enter dreams to see what people were actually doing.
"Really? Alright then. Though I can afford the plane ticket. I'll go to the hospital first, and if that doesn't work, I'll come find you, okay? Hey! That's not fair! I died again! The other side is definitely hacking!"
It seems Soldier Ronald Tang and Soldier Lu Mingfei were engaged in a fierce battle. Let us shift our perspective to the other side.
"Mr. Administrator, thank you for being willing to provide treatment for our members. I will have Chu Tianjiao contact you first." Angers' voice paused, then continued, "You said any injury could be healed, so I would like to ask about bloodlines..."
"Bloodlines probably can't be treated." Ji directly interrupted Angers. "Your bloodlines aren't so easy to treat; they are innate, not external injuries."
Things like innate bloodlines are indeed difficult to deal with, but if the one casting the spell is a Dragon King, that might be a different story.
After discussing some more details with Angers, Ji leaned back on the sofa, clutching his head, and tossed the disconnected phone aside.
"Boss, you want me to treat some dragon slayers? Seriously, the ones they kill are all my beloved friends, family, and kin!" Xia Mi struck a heartbroken pose beside him.
"Cut it out." Ji pinched her cheek. "I don't see any sense of belonging to the Dragon Clan in you at all. At most, you just protect your own."
"Boss, why are you always clutching your head? Do you have some kind of problem?" Xia Mi reached out and rummaged through Ji's hair.
Ji swatted away Xia Mi's meddling hand and said, "You've messed up my hair. It's just a habit; I do this when I'm speechless or thinking about things."
"It feels very edgy, and when we first met, the things you said were very edgy too, and you gave me quite a scare." The girl said, leaning on the sofa with a smile.
Ji nodded. "I don't deny it."
...
Regent Hotel
"Hehe, sir, thank you for taking care of Zi Hang previously. Please, this way." Chu Tianjiao made a gesture to lead the way and smiled in a very disgusting manner—disgusting in the literal sense. His smile was even uglier than crying. Logically, someone like him who was skilled at disguise shouldn't be unable to control his expressions.
"Stay away from me, I'm afraid your saliva will get on me." Ji leaned to the side. Xia Mi, who was beside him, pushed him, "Don't crowd me, you stinky Boss!"
"What the f*ck! Ahem, who is this?" Chu Tianjiao only then noticed Xia Mi beside Ji. After seeing her clearly, he couldn't help but curse. He often observed the people around Lu Mingfei and Ji, but he could never see their faces clearly, as if they were covered in a layer of mosaic. He couldn't exactly run up to their faces, could he? Now, he finally knew how stunningly beautiful the girl who was always sticking to Ji's side was.
"She's the doctor. Where are the people who need treatment?"
Hearing Ji call her a doctor, Xia Mi started fidgeting around him, and Ji gave her a flick on the forehead.
"They're upstairs in the hotel. They're all poor guys who were left permanently disabled on the dragon-slaying battlefield. Some had their arms or legs bitten off by dragons, and some had their eyes clawed out by Dead Servants. We submitted an entry permit to the higher-ups, and when the Principal heard you said you could heal them, he sent them over by private plane. The journey was a bit bumpy, so they probably aren't in good condition right now." Chu Tianjiao put away his smile and frowned as he looked into the hotel.
Well, it's a good thing no one was around to hear them talking about the dark side of the world here.
"Hmm, leave it to us." Ji walked into the hotel. Chu Tianjiao stood there for a moment, preparing to follow, but Ji turned around and said to him, "Chu Zihang's talent is not bad. You can apply for early training for him. Killing some Dead Servants or something is no problem, or even fourth or fifth-generation species would be fine."
Are you kidding? Zi Hang is only 15 years old, and you want him to fight fourth or fifth-generation species? Chu Tianjiao's eye twitched a few times as he followed.
Ji walked into the room booked by Cassell College and scanned it. There weren't many people Angers had sent. Most were currently sitting on the sofas or chairs in the room, while a small number of people with intact legs were standing. Judging by their expressions, they seemed a bit anxious.
"There aren't many people. It seems Angers wants to test the results. These are all relatively minor injuries. Can't your academy's alchemy heal them?"
"I don't know. I'm not very good at alchemy, and that was how many years ago?"
Asking this guy was a waste of time...
"Xia Mi, get to work." Ji waved his hand.
"OK~ Leave it to the Magical Girl~" Xia Mi made a peace sign with her hand next to her face, posing in a very edgy manner.
Ji shrugged and said to everyone in the room, "Everyone, take off your prosthetics. Bear with it, it might hurt a little."
"Chu Tianjiao, don't stop us no matter what we do later." Seeing Chu Tianjiao nod hesitantly, Ji signaled that Xia Mi could officially begin.
Xia Mi walked forward and stood in front of a girl whose entire lower leg had been replaced by a prosthetic. She smiled—a compassionate smile; it was hard to imagine using the word 'compassionate' to describe it.
"Imagine how it used to be. This will help with the treatment."
The girl nodded. Xia Mi signaled for the girl to lift her thigh. She held it in her hand to examine it, then directly chopped off the already-healed stump with a hand blade. Just as the girl managed to suppress a scream, Xia Mi gently brushed her hand over it.
It was gentle yet heavy, like a soothing comfort in a Mother's embrace, and also like the shock of facing a mountain.
Bones regrew, followed by muscles, and then skin. A new lower leg grew out from the stump just like that.
"Alright, try it out and see how the reaction and sensation are."
The girl seemed unable to believe it. She tentatively extended her foot to the ground. She felt the sensation, and she hugged her new leg and cried.
"It's simply a miracle..." Chu Tianjiao, who was watching from the side, was dumbfounded.
"No." Ji interrupted him. "Bringing the dead back to life—that is a miracle."
"He can really do it..." Angers hung up the phone and dialed another number.
"Schneider, you have a chance for treatment. It's in the city where you recruited Chu Zihang. No, I'm serious."
"Wuu wuu, Bastard Boss doesn't know how to care for girls at all! I've healed so many people, my head is so dizzy now!" In Ji's room, Xia Mi was hugging Ji and complaining tearfully.
Then you won't be dizzy if you hug me? Although he thought this, Ji still comforted her, "Your spiritual consumption was too great. You'll be fine after resting for a while. Is the potion digestion significant?"
"Very significant, but there's still quite a bit left. You aren't going to make me continue, are you?"
"What do you think?"
Chapter 49: The Emergence of a Killer
"Chu Zihang, your grades this semester are excellent. You truly live up to the special recommendation from headquarters. I hope you can keep this up after the summer break ends."
"Understood, teacher."
Chu Zihang had packed his luggage early. After returning to his dormitory from the teacher's office, he called his mother to notify her, mentioning that there was no need to send anyone to pick him up.
Because his father was coming, it would be awkward if he encountered people sent by his 'father'.
Carrying his suitcase, he boarded the express train home. After finding his seat, Chu Zihang leaned back, closed his eyes, and reflected on the recent events.
His grades hadn't slipped, he had learned a lot more systematic knowledge about dragons, awakened his Word of Power, and finished digesting his potion. Once he got back, he could ask his master if he could advance...
After thinking for a while, he entered a state of light sleep, but it wasn't long before he seemed to perceive something and snapped his eyes open.
Something was wrong.
The inspiration from the Giant Pathway wasn't very strong, but he still sensed it—there was a dangerous aura on the train.
He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. Once connected, he whispered, "I am Chu Zihang from Preparatory Class 1. I am currently on the T114514 train in transit. There is a hidden danger on the train. Please contact the relevant departments to prepare at the next station."
After speaking, he hung up directly and pulled an object from his bag... an iron spoon. After all, there were railway restrictions, and as long as he didn't damage public property, this was the most suitable weapon he could find. It should be enough to attack the opponent's visual organs.
If that dangerous guy couldn't suppress his instincts on the train, I might be the only one who can stop him. How did he sneak on? I must find him first.
After taking the spoon and the whistle given to him by Ji, Chu Zihang stood up and walked toward the rear carriages. Well, since he was in the foremost carriage, there was only the locomotive in front.
"Hehehe, look at these pieces of trash around me. They have no idea what is around them! Hehe, no, I can't! I must hold back. Just one! Just one is enough!"
In the rearmost carriage of the train, a man wearing a gray hoodie was trembling slightly. He was holding back—he had been holding back since the moment he entered the high-speed railway station. Because his modus operandi was extremely covert, he had not yet been locked onto by the Cassell College branch or domestic organizations. He was currently taking the high-speed train, trying to get away from the capital to lay low.
But obviously, an unstable bloodline wasn't so easy to suppress. He had tasted the flavor of much fresh blood; there was no turning back now.
"Found you."
Chu Zihang walked into this carriage.
"I am an undercover police officer currently pursuing a fugitive. Please evacuate in an orderly fashion behind me."
His voice wasn't loud, but his mature appearance convinced many. People left their seats one after another, moving toward the previous carriage.
"Ah!" The man in the hoodie suddenly lunged. He wanted to take a hostage, but Chu Zihang was faster. The moment he moved, Chu Zihang had already slightly lowered his body to gather strength.
With a 'whoosh', Chu Zihang's figure arrived in front of the man in the hoodie and grabbed the hand he was reaching toward other passengers. The man in the hoodie tried hard to break free, but Chu Zihang didn't budge. Just kidding—this was a physique close to A-rank, plus the enhancement from the Giant Pathway Sequence 8 potion.
"Leave in an orderly manner, do not rush to avoid a stampede."
Chu Zihang even had time to remind the passengers.
Failing to break free, the man in the hoodie raised his other hand to attack Chu Zihang's face, but before that happened, Chu Zihang pulled out the spoon and stabbed it into his eye.
"Ah!!!"
Very weak, but a great threat to civilians. He needed to be completely incapacitated. Master said to ensure the safety of the innocent.
Following his own plan, Chu Zihang pulled out the spoon that had been inserted into the man's eye socket; a damaged eyeball was still attached to the tip.
The spoon went in and out of the man's limbs repeatedly until he collapsed powerlessly to the ground, leaving a pool of deep red blood. The blood bubbled abnormally, indicating that the person's body had indeed been eroded by dragon blood.
The spoon was unusable; he'd have to get a new one. Thinking this, Chu Zihang tossed away the bent, ruined iron spoon. He walked to the connection between the carriages and said to the passengers, "It has been handled. Professional personnel will come to clean up at the next station. Please wait a moment. Also, the situation behind is not suitable for viewing."
...
Chu Zihang eventually reached his destination by transferring trains because the train required time for processing, so the Special Agent who arrived arranged another one for him.
'What a decisive and brutal way of handling things, just like a Special Agent from the Execution Department at headquarters, maybe even scarier!'
This was the evaluation he heard before leaving.
"Zi Hang! Over here! Why are you so late? Your old man has been waiting for ages."
As Chu Zihang walked out of the station, he saw Chu Tianjiao leaning against a Maybach, waving at him. He dragged his suitcase over.
"Hehehe, son, look! The boss didn't hold a grudge and even had this car refurbished. It's newer than new~"
The man always liked to show off in front of his son. The car wasn't even his, and there was no telling what he was bragging about. His so-called 'boss' was likely the leader of some secret organization.
"Mm, that's good."
Chu Zihang nodded, put his luggage into the trunk, and sat in the passenger seat.
"Ahem, son, someone called me earlier and said you handled a dangerous Hybrid on the train. Impressive! Truly worthy of being my, Chu Tianjiao's, son!"
Chu Zihang ignored him, but Chu Tianjiao didn't feel awkward. He continued, "That Professor Schneider who came to recruit you before came again. That... master of yours is quite impressive. He cured the members of the Execution Department who had retired to the second line, even regrowing severed limbs! It's terrifying; there's actually such an ability in this world."
"Professor Schneider? Did he come for treatment?"
Seeing that his son finally reacted, Chu Tianjiao continued, "Yeah. Don't look at him like that; he's only in his thirties, about the same age as your old man. Did you think he was in his fifties? Sigh, it's all because of what happened a few years ago that he became like that..."
Arriving at the entrance of the residential complex, Chu Zihang got out of the car. Chu Tianjiao urged him to make sure his mother drank more milk. He waved his hand to indicate he understood and carried his suitcase home.
After enduring hugs and cuddles from his mother and various aunts, he finally returned to his room to organize his belongings.
'Chu Zihang, I can sense your aura. Something happened on the way back, right? Judging by your current state, you handled it well. Find some time to come and drink your potion.'
"Understood, Master."
...
"Ming Fei, you need to work harder. Chu Zihang will be able to come over to advance to Sequence 7 soon. How long have you been stuck as a Soul Assurer? It's been 6 months since January, right?"
Ji mentioned to Lu Mingfei during lunch.
Lu Mingfei, focused entirely on his food, stammered, "Master, usually... I can't find any ghosts to soothe at all. They aren't allowed to become spirits after the founding of the PRC."
"You brat! I really should control you!"
Chapter 50: Harvest Priest
'If you want to maintain as much humanity as you have now after advancing to Sequence 1, my suggestion is still to have some anchors for positioning. Not too many, I'll help you.'
Ji tried asking the system what preparations he would need for his future advancement to Sequence 1. The answer was that he would still need a certain amount of faith as anchors to stabilize himself.
'So I still need to create a religion? Damn, doesn't that mean I'll be driven half-crazy by my followers every day in the future?'
'If you want to stabilize your humanity, then bear with it.'
'Fine, at least there are a few already.'
The entire conversation took place in Ji's mind. He was now walking lethargically down the sunny street, holding a cup of milk tea and taking occasional sips.
He couldn't always stay cooped up at home playing games. Although he loved doing that, Dragon King Miss didn't. Today, he had been dragged out to accompany her shopping.
'Bastard Boss! I was just talking to you! Didn't you hear me?!'
Ji looked up. The brown-haired girl stood in front of him, puffed up with anger. He could only put on an apologetic expression because he genuinely hadn't heard her.'Sorry, I was thinking about something just now. What did you say?'
The girl turned and continued walking forward, speaking over her shoulder, 'I feel like the potion is almost digested. I should be able to advance to Sequence 7 soon, right? Hey, what's Sequence 7 called?'
'Harvest Priest,' Ji said without thinking. 'You'll know all the specific abilities once you advance. No need for me to explain.'
Talking about such things on the street wasn't a big deal. No one would connect it to supernatural abilities. Even if someone did, their memories could be stolen using a Mystical Item.
The girl nodded and continued, 'Where do you think Norton is? He hatched and just ran off somewhere, not even caring about his brother. If we weren't so well-intentioned, we'd have long since fried him in a pan and eaten him.' After saying this, she licked her lips, as if imagining what her good brothers might taste like.
'How would I know something even you don't know?'
I might actually know.
Ji tossed his finished milk tea cup into the distance. The empty cup traced an arc and landed perfectly in a trash can. 'Just wait for him to go home, and then those two dragons will report it to him. I don't believe he won't come looking for us after we took his knife.'
The summer Sun was still scorching. If a low-Sequence Beyonder of the Death Pathway were here, they might even be solo-killed by the Sun. Ji wasn't feeling too great either, and he preferred wearing black clothes. He could only ask Xia Mi ahead of him in a helpless tone, 'How much longer, my Dragon King Miss? On such a hot day, we should go back and enjoy the air conditioning.'
Actually, Ji didn't need air conditioning. He could control his own temperature, but only to make himself colder.
'Alright, alright, let's go to the mall to buy some clothes. In a little while, come with me to see my brother~' The girl walked over to the youth dressed entirely in black, took his hand, and started running.
...
In the principal's office at Cassell College, Angers stood before a man dressed very formally, with a rather handsome build. His originally aged face had now become youthful, just as it should have been at his true age. He was von Schneider.
'Have a seat, Schneider.' Angers gestured for him to sit down.
'Angers, after that incident, I never thought I could return to this state. Those two you contacted... what kind of beings are they? A monarch?' Schneider wasn't happy about his complete recovery. On the contrary, he was worried because he believed creatures possessing such great power on this planet could only be Dragon Kings.
Angers stroked his chin with one hand while rhythmically tapping the desk with the other. After a moment, he replied, 'No, Schneider. They are not Dragon Kings. According to him, he is human.'
'And you believe him just because he said so?'
Angers smiled and shook his head. 'Not exactly. I have sufficient intelligence. He is indeed not a Dragon King, nor is he of the Dragon Kind. But I also can't confirm if he is human as he claims.'
'There simply cannot be supernatural life forms other than dragons in this world,' Schneider said with firm conviction.
'Now there are. And they have shown us enough goodwill. Long before this, He had already eliminated several Third Generation Dragons and targets suspected to be Dragon King avatars for us.'
'You refer to Him as 'He'? And you've been in contact for a while... Have you mentioned this to the Board of Directors?'
Angers shook his head. He stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the scene within the college.
'He is some kind of great existence, yet bound by morality. He considers himself human... We have almost no effective means against Him.'
Schneider walked to his side and said in a worried tone, 'Angers, what are you thinking? This is like making a pact with a tiger.'
'It is making a pact with a tiger. But at most, we are merely a chicken in this scenario. And as I said, we have no effective means.'
...
'This is the Sequence 7 'Harvest Priest' potion. I'm not sure about the method of acting either... Keep growing vegetables?' Ji pointed to a transparent glass cup filled with brown liquid on the coffee table.
'Doesn't look like it'll taste very good,' Xia Mi said with a look of disgust, picking up the potion and bringing it to her lips. She sniffed it. 'Ew~'
Miss Xia Mi still tilted her head back and drank the potion.
'Ugh... I almost threw up last night's dinner. Let me recover for a bit.' The girl lowered her head, holding it as she adapted to the changes brought by the potion. Soon after, she looked up, reining in the spirituality she had been radiating.
'Plant magic? Now this is a bit interesting~' She raised her hand, aiming at the potted plant placed at the edge of the living room.
The plant grew and spread wildly, reaching a terrifying size in an instant. Hmm, she could even manipulate its shape. She even had the leisure to form it into a big heart.
'That decoration cost me at least a thousand bucks, Miss Xia Mi. Seems a bit wasteful, doesn't it?' Ji covered his face, not wanting to look at the heart.
The culprit was still gloating, saying, 'Out with the old, in with the new~ Don't be so stingy, Bastard Boss~'
'Huh? What's going on? I just take a nap and you're about to tear the house down?' Miss Nono, the Red-haired Miko, came down the stairs and saw vines occupying half the living room.
'Xia Mi is testing her abilities,' Ji explained simply, then said to Xia Mi, 'Try to see if you can change it back?'
Xia Mi raised her hand again and tried. The plant's size visibly and significantly shrank, eventually turning into a bizarrely shaped potted plant.
'Can't change it back~ It can only stay like this now.'