502. The Joy Stick's "Longzhong Plan"
Murphy contacted Count Andre and briefly explained the situation. Count White Mountain immediately said he would personally escort Hogg to Batasing City and arrange his meeting with Lady Shani there.
The main reason things moved so quickly was that the "scope of impact" was rather large.
It involved the Bonechewer King's warning and the imminent birth of an evil god, and could even directly affect the progress of the Black Calamity and the safety of the continent.
This was absolutely not something the Governor of Transia or the Thorn Grand Duke could decide on their own. While the vampires under Adele's command were taking Hogg to Scarlet Castle, Murphy also took the blood crystal from his psionic bag—the one he used to contact Lord Payin directly.
The two had an agreement: anything less dangerous than the undead legion in Xico City wasn't to disturb the Lord's daily routine. But the events triggered by Hogg's dream had clearly gone far beyond that threshold.
The blood crystal connected almost immediately.
Lord Payin's psionic projection appeared before Murphy once more. This time, the Lord didn't even bother pretending: his projection was seated in his studio, brush in hand as he worked on a piece of art.
The crystal floated beside him.
Without turning his head, he asked calmly,
"Give me a little time to finish this stroke, then tell me what trouble you've found. I don't want it to affect the inspiration I've had today."
"Of course, my Lord."
Murphy spoke humbly.
"I suggest you finish the whole painting before I tell you. I suspect you won't feel like creating anything for quite a while after hearing this."
"Hm?"
The reply made the Lord pause in surprise.
Although he hadn't spoken much with Murphy, Lord Payin believed