Luo En pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at it; it was half past eight in the morning, and he couldn't help but quicken his pace.
But strangely, despite having walked a long way, the crowd around him didn't thin out, instead, it seemed to be growing.
He felt very strange; at this time, normal people should have already gone to work, there shouldn't be so many people gathered.
'Is today a holiday?'
'No, that's not right! How could there be holidays in this era!'
Although he hadn't experienced it firsthand, based on the original body's memories and Luo En's own understanding, he was very clear about the character of factory owners in this era.
Factories in this era would truly exploit people to death.
For workers of this era, there was no insurance, no safety measures, no hope…
To reduce costs, some factory owners even employed a large number of child laborers.
It was truly children used as adults, women used as men, and men used as forklifts.
Luxuries like holidays did not exist for most workers.
Even if there were those one or two "holidays," it wasn't because the factory owners had a change of heart, but to allow the machines in the factory time to rest and be maintained.
After all, machines were much more expensive than people.
Only certain government employees or employees of some companies had better benefits, with two days off a week.
To gather so many people, this place must be very special.
Luo En frowned, looking at the slowly moving crowd around him, trying to squeeze to the front, but found there was no way through.
"What's going on?" he murmured to himself, his gaze sweeping over the consistent expressions of anticipation on the unfamiliar faces. People held colorful flyers in their hands, conversing with each other, occasionally pointing forward.
Luo En was pushed forward by the flow of people, and suddenly heard a burst of music, vaguely accompanied by animal growls.
His heart rate accelerated, and an ominous premonition surged in his heart. After walking for another ten minutes, the surrounding buildings became sparse, and the view opened up.
When he finally squeezed out of the crowd, the sight before him made him freeze in place.
A huge tent stood on the open ground, its vibrant stripes shimmering in the sunlight. Colorful flags fluttered, balloons floated in the air, and a sweet scent permeated the atmosphere.
"Circus…" Luo En's eyes widened.
He never imagined he would end up here.
"I was set up."
Luo En, having come to this Circus once again, was certain that this was absolutely no coincidence.
His previous notebook was lost only after he had visited this Circus.
"But how is this possible?"
Luo En couldn't understand; the current situation was beyond his comprehension.
Even if the pipe explosion was man-made, the distance from where the taxi stopped to here was not close, and there were so many people escaping along the way, and so many small paths, how could he so coincidentally run to this place?
Unless… unless his route of action, and even his behavior itself, had been manipulated by something.
"This is too incredible."
"Meow~" Lachi, lying in his shoulder bag, suddenly poked her head out and let out a soft meow in a certain direction, startling Luo En from his impractical thoughts.
"What's wrong?" Luo En asked softly, reaching out to stroke her head.
Although Lachi couldn't speak, her perception abilities in certain aspects were indeed terrifyingly strong.
This could be seen from the night she killed that dangerous woman.
Discovering the danger first, ambushing in advance and waiting for the opportunity, and striking directly for a fatal blow at the critical moment, with no hesitation throughout the entire process.
Even professionally trained humans might not be able to do all that.
This was simply a born "Assassin."
Animals are inherently more sensitive than humans in some aspects.
In fact, Luo En had a guess a long time ago: if one could become a god by drinking potions, would some animals have already succeeded?
Humans themselves are also advanced animals, and in this absurd world, if some highly intelligent animals obtained the correct potion formulas, it doesn't seem impossible for them to advance level by level.
Perhaps among the so-called True Gods, there are one or two hidden.
…
Out of trust in his pet, Luo En raised his head and looked around, trying to find some clues.
As the figures around him appeared one after another in his eyes, his Adam's apple suddenly bobbed violently… he actually saw an acquaintance.
A young man with black hair and green eyes.
'That policeman, how is he here!'
Luo En's pupils dilated, revealing a hint of panic.
If the other party were a woman, and not a policeman, Luo En might have thought it was a fated encounter.
As a pure-hearted university student, he had also once hoped for certain fated encounters.
But… if the other party was a man, then it could only be called a haunting presence.
Coupled with the extremely unfavorable situation he was in, he reasonably suspected that the policeman in front of him was probably not a decent character.
Otherwise, how could he encounter him repeatedly?
Luo En no longer believed in coincidences.
Seeing that the other party had not noticed him, he withdrew his gaze, took a few steps back, and re-merged into the surrounding crowd, stopping only when he retreated into an alley in a corner.
He clenched his fists, biting his lip, his lip flesh pressed into deep grooves by his teeth. When the metallic taste of blood rose, he took a sharp breath of cold air; the taste of blood and a slight stinging sensation kept him clear-headed, preventing him from immediately panicking.
At this moment, Luo En clearly realized.
Fleeing might not be possible; too many abnormal things had happened recently. Since the person who orchestrated all this could lead him here, they naturally also had a way to prevent him from escaping.
Therefore, instead of continuing to flee, it would be better to see what the other party was truly up to.
…
Leonard in the distance did not notice that he was being watched by someone.
He was simultaneously guarding his surroundings and quietly discussing the situation with the neighbor inside his body.
"Old man, how is it?"
"There is indeed the aura of the 'Antigonus Family' notebook." Pales's voice echoed in Leonard's mind.
"Should we go search?" As he was alone, Leonard felt a little lacking in confidence.
"The Nighthawks have their rules, you don't have to ask me about everything…" Pales's meaning was clear, telling him to follow his instincts.
"Hmm." Leonard nodded. As an Official, he couldn't show weakness in this situation.
Moreover, he only intended to conduct some basic searches and had no intention of directly clashing with this Circus team.
The experience of that night chasing Mrs. Sharon was still vivid in his mind; the combat proficiency of the Circus team had left a deep impression on him.
But before Leonard could take two steps, Pales suddenly cautioned again.
"Be careful, I feel something isn't right."
…
Lan'erwusi clutched Meigao Ousi's neck tightly: "Step back! Otherwise, this bitch and the child in her belly will both be—"
Looking at the Punishers surrounding him, Lan'erwusi could only resort to this desperate measure. He naturally knew what was in Meigao Ousi's belly.
That was a bomb, but at the same time, it was a Divine Offspring!
He actually used the offspring of an Evil God as a threat to make members of the Orthodox Church let him go. Such a thing might be a first in history.
"Hahahaha!"
Thinking of his crazy and absurd actions, Lan'erwusi laughed out loud wantonly.
"Help… help me…" Meigao Ousi showed a hint of struggle.
"Don't hurt my child."
…
"Strange, the Circus is too lively today."
Feeling the abnormal spiritual fluctuations around him, Meihua 5, who was waiting to hand over work with the Circus team, couldn't help but frown.