"Ugh..."
In the inn's bathroom, Yang Lin retched while shaking his head.
Unforgettable.
That octopus visage seemed etched before his eyes, as if he were truly there; the pungent, fishy odor enveloped his mouth and nose.
For some unknown reason, the residual effect of this Golden Lotus Seed lingered and refused to subside.
Yang Lin felt utterly unwell. After a bout of retching, he covered his forehead, his head aching terribly.
After a while, the acute discomfort and pain in his body gradually subsided.
Yang Lin knelt on the floor as if exhausted, his face extremely pale.
He leaned against the wall, barely managing to walk out of the bathroom, only to see a small card subtly shoved through the door crack.
Perhaps this was the inevitable downside of staying at cheap inns; there were always people secretly slipping advertisements under the door.
Yang Lin looked at the card on the ground. It was a rectangular golden card.
On it were two prominent words: Mad Hatter.
"Whatever you desire, you'll find it here."
Hm?
Yang Lin bent down and picked up the card from the ground, then flipped it over. On the back was a string of handwritten black text and a phone number.
"The world's largest Object supplier. You mentioned Kitsune? Sorry, they are a containment organization, and we are merchants."
The card actually mentioned Kitsune?
Yang Lin took the card and sat back on the bed. He pondered for a moment, then picked up his phone and dialed the number listed.
Beep... Beep...
"Hello, esteemed sir."
A heavy voice answered the phone, a smoky, low register.
"You know Kitsune?"
"Yes."
"You trade Objects?"
"I need to correct one point for you. We do not 'trade' Objects. Objects are merely one category of commodity we deal in."
"And every commodity we trade is acquired through entirely legitimate channels. No one will hold you accountable for corresponding liabilities."
"Of course, the prerequisite is that you do not utilize these items to perform actions that cross the fundamental boundary."
This Mad Hatter... they might actually possess what he needed...
Yang Lin deliberated for a moment. "How do we conduct transactions?"
The voice on the phone replied, "Two methods. The first method is, you can visit our physical establishment to place orders for the corresponding items."
"The second method is, you state your requirements, and we, utilizing expert delivery protocols, will bring it directly into your hands."
"But let's be clear from the start: we are merchants. We accept currency, not people. Gold is acceptable, jewels are acceptable. Anything that can be publicly appraised and priced, we will accept."
"And our merchandise is extremely costly. Please be prepared to relinquish everything you own."
"Naturally, if your total assets amount to nothing more than four bare walls, then you may terminate this call now."
Yang Lin: "You said I can state my needs. Does that imply you can procure anything?"
"As long as you can afford the price."
...
Hong Kong.
Inside a high-rise office, a man in a suit and polished shoes leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed. A black shadow suddenly manifested behind him.
The man in the suit slowly opened his eyes. "You have arrived?"
The black shadow emerged from behind him. He wore a white mask and a black robe.
It was none other than Reinhard.
The suit-clad man stretched languidly. "You came at the perfect moment. My contact just reported that the call went through."
"Whatever he desires, deliver this picture along with it," Reinhard stated, retrieving a photograph from his chest.
The man in the suit took the picture and glanced at it. "Why don't you deliver it to your subordinate yourself? Do you insist on creating extra work for me here?"
Reinhard turned his head. "Merchants do not question the rationale; they only execute the business."
The suit-clad man gave a faint smile. "Not bad; you are learning."
"But the Serpent's Hand invested such a substantial price to arrange this scheme with me, just to deliver a picture to your subordinate. Wouldn't anyone, regardless of their affiliation, feel a little curious?"
This suit-clad man was the largest shareholder behind Mad Hatter. He was Number 040: Gold King.
He was one of those unruly monsters that Reinhard and Night King had previously mentioned—individuals who established themselves as kings and refused to answer to the Night King.
It was rumored that Gold King's ability was Infinite Treasury.
As long as he possessed the requisite monetary value, he could retrieve anything from his treasury.
Thus, he founded a merchant enterprise called Mad Hatter, claiming to deal in even Objects.
But in reality, Gold King's Objects and the Objects Kitsune referred to had significant discrepancies.
Currently, 'Objects' primarily referenced the products associated with 009.
And Gold King's Objects were essentially purchased using funds drawn from his Infinite Treasury.
These artifacts, rather than being accurately labeled Objects, were more akin to potent magical creations possessing strange capabilities. It was simply that Kitsune tended to broadly categorize all such items as Objects.
Kitsune had previously attempted containment operations against him but ultimately had to settle for concessions.
Because Gold King's ability was almost an equal counterpart to the wealth he commanded.
Whether it was national currencies, or gold, jewels, and priceless antiques—as long as an item could be openly appraised, Gold King could access it without error.
And during Kitsune's prior attempt to neutralize Gold King, Gold King directly exhausted a vast fortune and retrieved a single sword from his Infinite Treasury.
The legendary Sword of Damocles.
It symbolized restraint, divine judgment, and the ultimate divine right over all force and authority!
When this sword appeared, Kitsune understood. If they chose to engage Gold King head-to-head, there would only be one outcome.
Mutual destruction.
Or, to put it more severely, absolute mutual annihilation.
Gold King's stance was abundantly clear: he was a businessman. He favored conducting commerce, not engaging in combat and killing.
He could potentially align with humanity's cause, and even evolve into a containment organization similar to Kitsune.
These stipulations were a concession on Kitsune's part, and Kitsune accepted that compromise, officially recognizing Mad Hatter as a containment entity.
However, this status was only temporary.
The Gold King would always represent a major threat to the Kitsune. That Sword of Damocles, much like its namesake, became a constant blade hanging over the Kitsune's head.
Many high-ranking Kitsune officials were restless, frequently tossing and turning in their sleep, finding genuine rest difficult.
This anxiety stemmed from the worry that the sword hanging over them would finally fall.
But deep down, they all understood that the true sword over their heads was not the Sword of Damocles itself, but the Gold King.
Heaven only knew what other implements he held in reserve.
The only immediate good news for the Kitsune faction was that the Mad Hatter was not allied with the monster coalition, as the Mad Hatter claimed to be an organization fiercely dedicated to the protection of humanity.
They presented themselves as a community member who, much like the Kitsune, fought for global peace.
However, this convenient arrangement would not last long. When a structure begins to fail, everyone rushes to deliver the final push.
They currently favored humanity because the Kitsune held superior power, so they stood with the Kitsune.
But should the Kitsune fall, they would instantly sever ties with them.
The Gold King offered a faint smile.
"I am visually impaired; I only recognize currency, not individuals."
"As long as the funds are sufficient, I genuinely don't care with whom I conduct trade."
...
Half a month later.
Yang Lin arrived in Hong Kong, specifically at the Mad Hatter headquarters.
He was greeted by a beautiful woman with long red hair, elegantly dressed in a cheongsam. "You must be Mr. Yang Lin. Please, come this way."
Yang Lin wore a black mask and a pair of moon-shaped glasses to conceal the faint snake scales on his face and his serpentine eyes.
But...
"Have we met before?"
The red-haired woman turned her head. "No, but we were notified that you would be our first visitor today."
"Please, follow me."
Yang Lin entered the towering skyscraper. The interior was magnificently designed and expansive, with upper floors that made it stand out dramatically among the surrounding structures.
Their company logo—a black top hat adorned with a feather—was projected onto the floor from the ceiling, featuring only crimson and black as its overall colors.
This same logo was visible at the reception desk.
The red-haired woman led him all the way into the elevator, taking him to the third floor. The third floor was vast, sectioned into countless exhibition halls.
The items displayed within were bizarre and varied, but they were all presented as replicas.
These were all detailed models.
"This way, you can directly consult these manuals, or you can articulate your specific needs to me. Everything displayed here is for reference only."
The red-haired woman presented several thick, bound manuals. These guides were meticulously categorized, covering weapon types, armor specifications, nutritional supplies, lifestyle enhancements, potent medicines, and so on.
The scope of items listed within these manuals could only be described as all-encompassing.
For example, within the potion category, they actually offered cures for ailments like cancer and leukemia.
Moreover, the listing explicitly stated that a single vial could eradicate the disease.
There were also various concoctions capable of altering the physical body—some to eliminate fat, others to modify one's entire head or facial structure.
The more Yang Lin examined the listings, the more incredible the offerings seemed. This wasn't merely opening the door to a new world; this felt like being forcibly kicked into a new reality.
"Is everything written in these manuals factually true?"
The red-haired woman displayed a standard, professional business smile. "Absolutely. We carry no forgeries here. Please pay close attention to the associated prices listed below. There are strictly no refunds once the goods have been exchanged."
Prices...
Yang Lin glanced at the costs of several items: 1.4 million, 2.9 million, 8.6 million...
"Is this in Hong Kong Dollars?"
"No."
Yang Lin silently placed the manual back down. It was indeed not HKD; the currency was USD.
Because of this realization, he felt that the subsequent items were no longer worth reviewing.
"What if I wish to purchase intelligence?"
"Then please proceed to the VIP lounge, and there, explain in as much detail as possible precisely what information you require."
"We charge on an itemized basis."
"For instance, if you want specific information regarding an individual, you must clearly specify every detail you wish to know."
"Such as date of birth, current age, past experiences, and so forth. Each piece is charged separately."
"What if I only inquire about one single piece of data?"
"Then the cost will depend entirely on the perceived value of that specific piece of intelligence."
...
A moment later, the red-haired woman ascended to the top floor of the building.
The Gold King was engrossed in examining a golden sphere. "He has arrived?"
"Yes."
"What choice did he make?"
The red-haired woman paused in thought. "It was evident from his expression that he could not afford our merchandise, so he intends to purchase intelligence from us."
The Gold King held the golden sphere, observing it closely. "Do not sell him any intelligence. Someone has already made provisions for him. Allow him to select anything he desires."
The golden sphere in the Gold King's hand was clearly a Golden Lotus Seed.
This was a gift bestowed upon him by Reinhard. Golden Lotus Seeds were incredibly rare, truly priceless treasures.
The Kitsune faction currently possessed the Golden Lotus Pedestal. Acquiring one from their holdings was harder than ascending to the heavens.
"He can choose any item, irrespective of cost?"
The Gold King heard this and gently set down the Golden Lotus Seed. "Excluding top-tier assets, anything else is permissible."
"Understood. I will relay this instruction to him immediately."
About half an hour later, the red-haired woman returned.
"Boss, the negotiation is finalized."
"What does he desire?"
The woman suddenly hesitated.
"What does he want?"
"He has requested the Peace Talisman."
"The Peace Talisman?"
He instructed the visitor to choose anything, and he selected such a common, inexpensive item?
The Gold King's brow furrowed. Should he deem this person lacking in taste, or perhaps simply foolish?
The Gold King extended his hand. A dazzling golden light flashed before him, and a Peace Talisman pendant immediately appeared in his grasp.
Wearing the Peace Talisman long-term could ward off minor misfortunes and cure slight ailments, but its effect was not overly potent, restricted only to minor illnesses and diseases.
Most importantly, it was incredibly inexpensive.
Trading a Golden Lotus Seed for a Peace Talisman—this was truly a bargain transaction.
"Take this. And this photograph, give this to him as well."
...
Downstairs.
The red-haired woman walked over, holding a small box. "This is what you requested."
Yang Lin took the box and slowly opened it. Inside was a Peace Talisman. Holding it in his hand, he felt a comforting warmth spread through him.
'When this whole affair is concluded, I'll present this to my mother as a token of appreciation.'
"Oh, the CEO mentioned that since the item you selected was truly too minor in value, he's including a small complimentary gift."
The red-haired woman then took out a photograph and handed it to Yang Lin. Yang Lin took the picture, and his pupils instantly contracted to pinpricks!
His lips trembled. He couldn't believe the image before him.
In the photograph stood a man.
A white-haired man, bearing a colossal, sharp spine extending from his palm, and two distinct wings sprouting from his back.
Furthermore, the man's features bore a striking resemblance to Yang Lin himself.
Yang Lin had seen this face before: the black-and-white portrait of his father, still hanging in their home.
The man in the photograph was his father!
Yang Lin's trembling hand turned over the photograph, only to see a string of characters written on the reverse side.
This inscription was identical to the text found on the back of that advertisement in the inn earlier. It must have originated from the same individual.
And the words on the back of the photograph read: Number 004-1 Guard Bee Yang Avee, currently contained by Kitsune.
Seeing this, countless fragmented connections instantly snapped into place.
Yang Lin now had only one definitive thought: his father was very likely not deceased, but had been contained by Kitsune.
But why would this be the case?
Who had transformed his father into a monstrous entity?
Who provided Yang Lin with this photograph? Mad Hatter had claimed he was a fortunate customer, not offering intelligence today, but granting him the privilege of taking one item free of charge.
Yang Lin selected the Peace Talisman, and this photograph was included as a bonus gift.
Ultimately, every line of evidence pointed directly toward Kitsune!
There was no possibility of evasion or avoidance. He absolutely had to make a journey to Kitsune!
Yang Lin clenched the Dragon Stone in his hand and resolutely stepped out of the building.
...
Meanwhile, at Kitsune headquarters, personnel were rapidly dispersing.
Byakuya took off the Tiger Stone, joining it with the two halves of the Tiger Stone that resembled a Yin-Yang symbol, spinning it expertly on his fingertip.
"The cowardly rat conceals itself, the strong ox intends rebellion."
"The two-faced tiger desires to host a grand banquet, the agile rabbit flees first."
"The vanished little dragon is nowhere to be found, the sly snake lurks in the shadows."
"The spirited horse runs unrestrained, the light-averse sheep gazes at the stars."
"The ever-shifting monkey harbors resentment, the rooster follows the aged ox, the immortal dog rests in my hand, and the remaining pig, must also be eliminated."
...
Dream World.
In a mist-shrouded location, Zero tore off a piece of flesh from his arm and discarded it.
A section of his arm had been severed by an Angel's wing. The wound was charred and decaying; a portion of the tissue had already turned to ash.
"I hadn't even unleashed my full power then, yet you could still fight back. Why did you retreat so abruptly?"
Principal Starry inquired, clearly confused. Zero's eyes were profound, and his expression peculiar. "Because the reactions of those two were incorrect."
"What reaction was mistaken?"
Principal Starry obviously did not grasp Zero's implication.
Zero furrowed his brows, constantly replaying the events that had just transpired.
"Why, that look again..."
"What look?"
"A gaze devoid of concern."
"Could it stem from overconfidence?"
"Furthermore, I haven't fully acclimated to this body yet. They feel capable of capturing me, which is a reasonable assessment."
"No."
"Why not?"
Zero lowered his head, attempting to peer through the misty clouds obscuring the world below.
"I understand monsters very well."
"Especially them."
"Because they were all my opponents once."
"Based on my understanding of Sea King, if two of us, two 5th Step beings, confronted him simultaneously, he couldn't possibly maintain that expression."
"But if he was feigning composure, seizing the moment to awaken Angel and defuse the situation, that would be far more plausible."
"Any person with a modicum of sense would normally proceed that way."
"But he is different."
"How so is he different?"
"Sea King would never entrust his survival to another. You suggest he placed his hope in Angel—I simply don't believe it."
Principal Starry's energy-formed body subtly rippled. "Are you implying he possesses a hidden trump card?"
Zero replied, "That is certain."
"But I wonder, what kind of ultimate tactic could make him so unafraid, even when facing two uncertain 5th Step entities?"
Zero spoke, slowly rising to his feet. "There is only one possibility."
"We are not the sole recipients of those potions."
...
Asia, an airport.
Yang Lin purchased a plane ticket to North America, which once again left his already meager wallet in tatters.
Yang Lin glanced at his account balance, then silently closed his phone.
Better not look.
After boarding the plane, Yang Lin soon drifted off to sleep.
But mid-flight, Yang Lin woke up suddenly. He rubbed his eyes and looked around, only to see a familiar face in the seat right beside him.
Hm?
Jihen turned his head and waved at him with a smile. "Hello."
Thwack!
Yang Lin's hands moved with lightning speed. He directly grabbed Jihen's neck.
"Why are you here?!"
Jihen's face stiffened immediately. "Hold on, we are on an airplane! You might have lived long enough, but I haven't!"
On a plane?
Yang Lin, his consciousness now sharp, slowly relaxed his grip. "So this wasn't a coincidence?"
"I followed you onto the aircraft," Jihen admitted, rubbing his neck.
"By the way, comrade, could you possibly refrain from choking me every time we meet?"
"Choke you?"
"If I had a firearm on me right now, I wouldn't say a word and would simply shoot you," Yang Lin stated, feigning menace.
"That is rather intimidating."
Jihen licked his lips. "But I am not here to eliminate you this time. No, actually, I didn't intend to eliminate you last time either. I merely wished to test your capabilities, understand?"
Test his abilities?
If Yang Lin hadn't possessed snake scales last time, Kael's attack would have ended him. Was that what he called testing abilities?
"Stop with this needless drama. State your actual objective."
Hearing Yang Lin's demand, Jihen sighed heavily. "Oh dear... It's truly disheartening. I am clearly here to offer assistance."
"Help me?"
"You are heading to the Kitsune headquarters, correct?"
"Who informed you of that?"
"Don't worry about my source. Just confirm whether it is true or not."
Yang Lin's eyes were cold. "Whether it is true or not is secondary. What matters is: who commanded you to do this? Who is operating behind you?"
Jihen clasped his hands together. "You are certainly not foolish. You are correct; I was indeed instructed by someone."
"I will be frank."
"The faction backing me intends to eliminate Kitsune. The higher-ups believe you possess tremendous potential, and you could align with us."
"We can become your most steadfast allies and your fundamental support structure, and we can also assist you in achieving your desires. This is a cooperative and mutually beneficial arrangement; truly a win-win scenario."
"Cease this vague maneuvering. Do you truly expect me to believe you now, given everything that has transpired?" Yang Lin retorted.
Jihen appeared helpless. "Whether you believe me or not, this is the reality. I am merely a pawn at this point. Do you truly imagine I want to help you?"
"You are a law enforcement officer, and I am an operative outside the law. From a purely professional standpoint, we are predator and prey. What advantage is there for me to assist you? Am I helping the police apprehend myself?"
Yang Lin turned and leaned back in his seat, looking ahead.
"Proceed. Explain how you plan to assist me."
"Hm?"
"Your demeanor shifted quite rapidly. What, you believe me now?"
"Then I'd rather believe that my own backseat harbors a deity."
"Don't joke like that; perhaps one day I really will excavate a false god before an archaeological team does."
"Then I shall permit him to occupy your backseat."
"..."
Time passed swiftly. Jihen filled the entire flight with meaningless chatter, divulging not a single piece of useful intelligence.
This individual, seemingly simple to read, had managed to shock Yang Lin twice.
Sometimes, Yang Lin genuinely felt the absurdity of this world.
Someone who had actively tried to end his life previously, and nearly succeeded, was now sitting beside him, and they could even set aside past grievances to discuss collaboration.
Could anything be more utterly ridiculous than this?
"What does 004-1 signify?"
"It signifies 'derivative compound'."
"Which implies that effects capable of causing transformation are produced from a monster. The affected subject or personality is then designated by a different title."
"And what is 004?"
"Queen Bee."
"A remarkably graceful beauty, the kind who carries a hidden sting."
"If you harbor any personal history with her, consider this a friendly warning: seek alignment with benevolent principles, resolve that animosity, or simply let it go," Jihen advised jokingly.
Yang Lin's brow furrowed. "Are you perhaps afraid of her?"
"Afraid?"
"Haven't you heard the saying, 'a hornet's sting is at its tail, but a woman's heart is the most venomous'? Having experienced it firsthand, I advise you to heed my words, Comrade Yang Lin."
Yang Lin retrieved his father's photograph from his pocket, gripped it once firmly, then returned it to his pocket. "Inside Kitsune, how many 004-1s currently exist?"
"How many 004-1s?"
"I recall there were none a few years ago."
"None left?"
"What do you mean, 'none left'?!"
"The literal meaning. Terminated."
Terminated...?
Yang Lin suddenly felt a splitting headache surge. He covered his forehead with his hand as a throbbing sensation surged in waves.
No, Jihen's testimony could not be fully trusted.
Without personal confirmation, regardless of what others asserted, it held no weight.
Yang Lin clenched his fists. He would confirm the actual truth himself.