Jie La Er, Kill Him, Now

To retrieve, once again, and completely, what "Xiaoxing" failed to retrieve ten years ago.

After hearing this, the old man pondered briefly and then said in a low voice, "'Devil's' army has been searching that road for ten years, paying a heavy price, but they still haven't found it, not even a single clue. 'Lord Yongxin,' is it possible that it has already...?"

"He was taken away by Jie La Er?"

The old man lowered his head. "This is just my guess."

"Heh, don't worry, it's still in the Contaminated Land," the young man said casually. "Jie La Er couldn't bring it out back then."

"Why are you so certain?"

The young man fell silent, and the entire room became so quiet that not a sound could be heard.

This made the old man feel uneasy; he wondered if he had crossed the line with his question.

Fortunately, he soon heard the young man say in a low voice, "Ah, yes, this work was previously handled by Ocott. You don't know everything, so I should tell you some things... Do you know who took this incomplete [Domination] that we have in our hands from the Land of Corruption?"

"This... I really don't know."

"It was me."

The old man was stunned.

Then he heard the young man laugh, a laugh that sounded like a beggar playing a broken accordion with a different tune, a sound that made one's teeth ache and one's heart tremble.

"It wasn't just Jie La Er who returned from the deepest part of that Land of Corruption."

The old man froze instantly, staring blankly at the young man in the darkness. He instinctively asked, "You also entered the deepest part of the Contamination Zone? And successfully brought back a portion of [Domination]? If so, why didn't you..."

"Why not lead a team to retrieve the complete part, is that it?" The young man interrupted the old man with a faint smile. "It's simple, I can't do it... You know whose power [Domination] is, right?"

"... Visas".

"Yes, Visas." In the corner, the young man's figure crept slowly into the darkness, approaching the old man. Soon, his face appeared in the moonlight streaming in from the window. "So you think Visas's power comes without a price?"

Upon seeing the young man's face, the old man felt his heart and lungs stop for a moment.

What kind of face is this?

His face was pitted and uneven, like a dissolved clay sculpture, similar to most pollutants in the Contaminated Land. But it was indeed a human face. Maggots were constantly wriggling deep in the missing parts, and his eyes were loose and droopy, as if they might fall out of their sockets at any moment.

The old man had long known that Yong Xin's health was not good and that he couldn't be seen at night, but he never imagined that his health had deteriorated to this extent.

Can this still be considered as living?

Even after the young man retreated back into the darkness, the old man remained in a state of extreme shock and panic, unable to recover for a long time.

Until the young man's voice rang out again. "This is the price I paid."

Upon hearing the young man's words, the old man's body reacted instinctively, prostrating himself on the ground, trembling slightly, not daring to look inside again.

"Don't be nervous," the young man said calmly. "I haven't become a monster yet."

The old man took several deep breaths before he gradually calmed down.

"You and Xiaoxing both returned from the deepest part of the contaminated area, so why did he..."

"He is different from me. He brought nothing back, but the fact that he was able to return safely has already caused him to lose all his memories of the depths of the Contaminated Land," the young man said calmly. "As for me, I did not lose my memories and brought back some power, but the price was... a portion of my life was taken away, and I can never set foot in that place again for the rest of my life."

After calming down, the old man remained silent for a long time before letting out a soft sigh, "Truly... terrifying power."

"That is Visas," the young man said, "And only a small part of Visas's many powers."

Another long silence followed, as if both of them were still reeling from the shock inflicted by the legendary being.

"Then, Lord Yongxin," the old man looked at the young man again, "You cannot return to that place, so Jie La Er ..."

"Theoretically speaking, he can return," the young man said calmly. "That's one of the reasons why we've tried to get rid of him more than once over the past ten years."

"...one?"

The young man looked at the old man quietly. Although he couldn't see anything in the darkness, the image of the young man that had just appeared involuntarily surfaced in the old man's mind, and his heart trembled again.

"We still don't know if Jie La Er really didn't retrieve anything from that Land of Corruption," the young man said. "Did he trade that memory for his safe return, or... what he retrieved was also sealed away in that memory?"

The old man understood what the young man meant, and his eyes widened little by little. "If it's the latter, then doesn't that mean that once he regains his memories..."

"I've regained that part of my power," the young man said calmly. "That is, [Domination], and it's very likely a more perfect [Domination] than mine."

The old man's expression changed again.

If the former Evening Star Knight had also possessed [Domination]... it would be unimaginable.

"Therefore, we have never relaxed our surveillance of Jie La Er over the past ten years."

In the darkness, the young man's body began to writhe again, as if searching for something. An old pocket watch was tossed in front of the old man, who picked it up and found it had stopped. The hour and minute hands were both at twelve, the clock motionless, but the minute hand was swaying slightly, as if something was influencing it.

"This is..."

"The Clock of Desolate Time," the young man said. "It was originally used to detect the concentration of pollution in Contaminated Land, but ten years ago, after I brought it back from the Contaminated Land, it stopped detecting the concentration of pollution and started detecting something... more special."

A rustling sound.

The young man stretched out his hand from the darkness. The hand was also rotten and rotten, making the old man's eyelids twitch. He barely managed to suppress his reaction.

Then, the skeletal hand landed on the pocket watch.

The old man then saw that the hour hand, which had been at twelve, had jumped forward two notches.

But when the young man withdrew his hand, it jumped to one again, and finally returned to zero (twelve).

"This is..."

"It can sense [Domination]... no, to be precise, it can sense Visas's power," the young man said. "Although I don't know the principle behind it, Visas's power, like those legendary body parts, can sense each other."

The old man understood. "So, if Jie La Er also gains [Domination], then he will be detected by this watch?"

"Yes," the young man said calmly. "For the past ten years, I've usually checked him every six months to avoid alerting him. And until his last trip to Rhine, nothing was detected. Logically, there's still a long time before the next test, but..."

The young man paused.

"His recent changes are indeed a bit unsettling; it might be better to get him tested beforehand."

"Alright." The old man nodded, then solemnly put the pocket watch away. "I'll go find him in the next couple of days."

"No need," the young man said calmly. "He will come to you soon. Don't forget, you are also the Affairs Assistant of District Four."

The old man understood.

It's almost dawn, and a ray of light is appearing on the distant horizon.

The old man knew it was time for him to leave.

But before leaving, he remembered something and looked at the young man again. "The clock on this watch just stopped at two. Does that have any special meaning?"

Right now, the rising sun has already cast its glow into the dim room and onto the young people.

His dark, decaying body was rapidly recovering under the sunlight; the maggots disappeared, and the pits were filled in.

He is transforming back into the elegant and refined Lord Yongxin, appearing as if he has been reborn.

However, this scene of "rebirth" made the old man feel extremely strange.

"It's simple," he said with a light laugh, "Because I can only upgrade it to two."

What are you doing?

After waking up in the middle of the night and completing a new deal with Bai Wei, Jie La Er didn't go back to sleep. Instead, he went to his old desk, pulled out a basket of parts that looked like scrap metal at first glance, and started hammering and tinkering. This led to Bai Wei's question.

Before the transaction, Jie La Er wouldn't have needed to answer Bai Wei at all, but now it's different. After a brief silence, Jie La Er still answered while tapping, "These are all things used to combat pollution; they used to be standard equipment required to enter Contaminated Land."

"Oh?" Bai Wei's interest was piqued. "The equipment from your Evening Star Squad?"

"Yes."

"This looks a bit old."

"Because they're all from ten years ago."

"Can't you just buy a new one?"

"No, I'm not qualified," Jie La Er replied. "I'm currently with the Skeleton Corps, and the Skeleton Corps doesn't need this kind of equipment."

"Interesting," Bai Wei said. "So, these equipment were originally military equipment, unusable by ordinary people or even regular troops. Then, after you returned from the Contaminated Land, they didn't retrieve these equipment?"

"No," Jie La Er said. "Most of them are broken and outdated, and strictly speaking, they're not even equipment."

"If it's not equipment, then what is it?"

"It's a keepsake."

Jie La Er lined up the "scrap metal" he was fiddling with.

These scrap metal items included a broken pocket watch, a broken monocle, a pipe, a folding knife, and even a long, narrow screw. What they all had in common was that they were all engraved with names.

Ian, Hermes, Eric, Hoon...

"This is the rule of Xiaoxing... no, it's the rule of the entire Pioneer Force, or rather, the Contaminated Land." Jie La Er calmly explained to Bai Wei, "When comrades cannot be rescued in the Contaminated Land, those who can return will replace the parts or equipment of those who cannot return with parts or equipment from their own bodies. This is to show that those who return will also live on with a part of them, and those who remain there are not alone, but have others who will die with them."

"So these equipment..."

"These were all clinging to my body when I came out of the Contaminated Land ten years ago."

"I see." Bai Wei paused and said, "But you can't remember anything."

"Yes, I can't remember anything." While answering Bai Wei, Jie La Er's hands did not slow down. He refurbished and sorted these things that were once equipment but are now relics, obviously wanting to turn them back into equipment. "With my current status, I have no way to obtain new equipment, so I can only make do with these."

"It seems you already have an idea," Bai Wei said. "Tell me, what are you planning to do today?"

"Keep investigating," Jie La Er replied calmly. "Ocott is the Affairs Assistant of District Four, yet his body is so contaminated. If he's not an isolated case, then... the entire upper echelons of District Four should be riddled with contamination, which should be easy to verify."

"So your verification method is to take this pile of junk to the Fourth District office and see which one lights up?" Bai Wei understood Jie La Er's plan, and then couldn't help but click his tongue, "That's really simple and crude."

"Simple, but effective," Jie La Er said. "Traces of pollution are not so easy to erase. As long as it truly existed, traces can always be found."

Jie La Er pointed to the watch engraved with the name "Hermes": "This pocket watch is called the Clock of Desolate Time. It can detect nearby pollution."

Then came the folding knife engraved with the name "Eric": "This knife, called Cyril's Dull Blade, can inflict maximum critical damage on contaminants."

Next was Ian's monocle. "This... doesn't have a special name. Through it, you can see 'pollution' more directly."

Jie La Er described all the scrap metal in great detail, as if he knew it by heart.

After listening, Bai Wei suddenly asked, "I'll leave aside for now which of these guys can be used..."

He paused, then said with a half-smile.

"Why don't you just tell me directly, which ones are used against me?"

Jie La Er immediately fell silent. After a long while, he picked up the monocle he had just mentioned.

"This lens is not a creation of Lyra; it came from outside. It not only has the ability to see through pollution, but also has a certain sealing ability."

Bai Wei laughed, "So you're planning to use this to seal me away? You still think I'm a pollutant?"

"It's just a necessary measure," Jie La Er replied. "Whether you are a pollutant or not, I need to be adequately prepared."

"So, you're not thinking of using everything you have with sealing properties against me, are you?"

"That's exactly how I prepared."

Even if I tell you all this, it won't make a difference.

"Yes," Jie La Er said. "This is something I'm doing myself, and it's not part of our deal."

"Of course, our deal is that you can't hide anything from me," Bai Wei said casually. "What you actually do is your business... But when you're really going to make a move against me, will you let me know?"

"If you ask."

"Hehe, interesting." Bai Wei laughed nonchalantly. "I believe it will be very interesting if that day really comes. But before that... you should do your own thing first."

"Look at the Fourth District Bishop you know so well, look at what he's become now."

A few hours later, Jie La Er arrived at the District 4 office—a branch tower only one-fifth the height of the Tower of Babel.

District 4 also ranks among the top in population in Lyra City, so when Jie La Er arrived, there were already quite a few people here conducting business.

Upon entering the branch tower, Jie La Er didn't waste any time and directly approached the receptionist using his Skeleton Corps identity. Since it wasn't the main tower, the receptionist here was a real person, not an administrative staff member like those in the Tower of Babel. So, upon hearing that Jie La Er had come to "investigate a case," the receptionist was somewhat surprised. Of course, it could also be due to Jie La Er's appearance; Jie La Er was not only carrying a bunch of strange, tattered items, but his left eye was also wrapped in thick gauze, making him look like a critically ill patient who had just escaped from a hospital.

Although the receptionist was surprised, she still politely asked Jie La Er to wait aside while she went to contact her superior.

As Jie La Er waited, Bai Wei's voice echoed in his mind, "Do you think you can see the Archbishop directly?"

"Unlikely," Jie La Er thought to himself. "Bishop Holman hasn't shown his face for over a decade."

"236 years later?"

"No, even earlier."

"A regional bishop hasn't shown his face for over ten years. Don't you find that strange?"

"In Lyra, this is not a strange thing," Jie La Er said. "The Five Archbishops haven't shown their faces for more than ten years; they have their own duties."

Bai Wei smiled, not continuing the topic, but instead asked, "Have your detectors started reacting?"

Jie La Er kept looking at the pocket watch in his hand, but the hands of the watch did not change at all.

"At least not here," Jie La Er replied.

A short while later, the sound of footsteps approached.

Jie La Er turned his head and saw an elderly man with white hair walking towards him.

"Hello, Lord Jie La Er." The white-haired old man introduced himself with a smile, "My name is Terrell, and I am the Affairs Assistant of District Four."

Jie La Er looked at Terrell and suddenly asked, "Like Ocott?"

"If you're referring to a position..." Terrell remained expressionless, still smiling, "That's the same thing."

"I've heard about Mr. Ocott's situation. The 'Skeleton' unit came to us last night to ask for information. To be honest, I'm shocked by your accusations against him. In my opinion, your accusations are somewhat... absurd. Ah, we're here. This is Mr. Ocott's office."

After leading Jie La Er to Ocott's office, Terrell quietly observed the "Knight of the Evening Star."

Lord Yongxin was right after all. Jie La Er came to us in such a short time and made no attempt to hide his purpose—because he was wearing those outdated pollution monitoring devices, making it seem as if he was about to step into Contamination Zone.

The old "Clock of Desolate Time" was in his hand, but the hands did not change at all.

"Jie La Er," Terrell calmly reminded Jie La Er, "You are being far too idealistic. This is not Contamination Zone."

Jie La Er walked around Ocott's office and indeed found no contamination, but his expression didn't change much. "I want to see Bishop Holman."

Terrell had already guessed that Jie La Er would make this request. "I'm sorry, Jie La Er. Bishop Holman is very busy and he doesn't have time to see outsiders."

Even after something this big happened?

"What you call a major event is merely your side of the story," Terrell said. "Besides, even if what you say is true, your rank is not high enough for you to confront Bishop Holman directly... You are no longer the 'Knight of the Evening Star' you were ten years ago, are you?"

After hearing Terrell's words, Jie La Er asked, "Is this your idea, or Bishop Holman's? Does Bishop Holman know what has happened in the past ten years?"

"That is of course just my own opinion," Terrell replied. "As for your question later... if I may be frank, Lord Jie La Er, nothing has happened in the past ten years, everything is normal, only you feel that something is wrong."

Jie La Er did not refute Terrell, after all, he had heard such words countless times over the past decade.

He didn't think he would see Huo Er Man today, but he had already achieved his goal.

Jie La Er was certain that this office wasn't Ocott's workplace; Terrell had simply brought him any room he could find. As for where Ocott's real office was... that didn't matter. He knew the office Terrell had brought him to was fake, and that was enough.

There's no need to waste time here.

"It seems I should look for answers elsewhere," Jie La Er said.

"You won't find the answer you're looking for, Jie La Er," Terrell said calmly. "Because it simply doesn't exist. But of course, I will try my best to cooperate with you until then. Now, let me see you out. There's still a lot of work to do today. With Mr. Ocott gone, I need to take on more responsibilities. I hope you can understand."

Jie La Er nodded and walked out of the room, with Terrell following behind him, slowly reaching his hand into the inside pocket of his coat.

Now that Jie La Er's probing is over, it's his turn.

Terrell did not act immediately because he knew what kind of person he was dealing with, and he should not arouse Jie La Er's suspicion at this time.

So he waited until he had delivered Jie La Er to the main hall of the tower. In that crowded and noisy environment, he finally grabbed the pocket watch in his pocket and began to think about his next move.

All it takes is to take out the pocket watch and "feint" it behind Jie La Er, and the watch will detect the contamination without attracting his attention. Even if it accidentally does catch Jie La Er's attention, he can simply explain that it's just an ordinary "Clock of Desolate Time," and that Jie La Er is merely detecting the contamination on him.

This is somewhat impolite, but it makes sense, since the pocket watch won't...

The moment Terrell grasped the pocket watch, he suddenly froze.

Because he could feel the pocket watch in his hand... shaking wildly.

He instinctively took out his pocket watch, and then was shocked to discover...

The clock that Lord Yongxin could only count to "two" was now spinning wildly at an incredible speed, making this ten-year-old object look like it was about to fall apart at any moment.

How so?!

Before Terrell could react, Jie La Er was walking ahead, suddenly turned around. "That's enough for you, Mr. Terrell..."

Then Jie La Er noticed the pocket watch in Terrell's hand and glanced at it.

With just that one glance, the pocket watch, which was already at its limit, instantly collapsed.

The ancient clock hand popped out of the glass, slicing all five of Terrell's fingers.

By the time the pocket watch shattered into pieces and scattered on the ground, Terrell's hands were covered in blood.

Terrell stared blankly at Jie La Er, a silent fear suddenly welling up in his heart.

But he still managed to hold back, saying calmly, "It seems this watch has reached its retirement age," while bending down to pick up the parts.

Jie La Er frowned slightly. He felt that the broken pocket watch looked familiar. Just as he was thinking of an excuse to check it, he heard Bai Wei's calm yet undeniable words echo in his mind.

Jie La Er.

"Kill him."

"Now."