Act.07 Dead Flowers

Foreword:

God did not create man to fail.

[Part 1: Beyond Cognition]

Zero Platform of Forty-Eight District is right next to Heung Wan Pier.

The scenery here is delightful, shrouded in mist.

A railway line leads out from the wooden building complex; the zombie train has just left the harbor and is heading towards the Abyssal Railway.

Viewing courtyards stand amidst pavilions and towers, with a screen dividing them into two sections.

The shadowy figure behind the screen is Lawrence Madison, the patriarch of the Little Brotherhood, sitting with a glass in hand.

The people outside the screen were high-ranking officials of the Grey Robe Monk.

"Godfather."

"Hello, godfather."

"Godfather, it's been a long time."

"Godfather, the Blood Knights' leaders are all dead. The matter is settled."

"Godfather, I've negotiated the price you asked for."

"Godfather."

After the six people finished their polite exchanges, only the humble and stubborn Flavia remained silent for a long time.

Duran shoved his female companion, telling Flavia to swallow her anger and obey.

Our black snake Cici, finally spoke slowly.

"Godfather."

"Very good!" Lawrence clapped softly from behind the screen. "Excellent! Very good! Very spirited!"

Everyone found their seats according to their guest numbers and waited for the Cult Leader to issue new commands.

Lawrence began to explain calmly and deliberately.

"I'm returning to Zero Platform this time to explain two things."

"The first thing concerns Francis Ferdinand. My keeper of treasures died in an accident. The fool apparently tried to steal one or two exhibits from my vault and died from an electrocution. This puzzles me greatly—and along with his life, the painting 'The <The Starry Night>' also disappeared."

"I believe he did not die an accident; his killer is hiding in the Blackland Royal Hotel. This painting has vanished, and in Hui Stone Currency, it's worth twelve million."

When this matter was brought up, both Duran and Flavia became nervous.

Their faces showed no emotion; the blood they received granted them unparalleled emotional control.

Lawrence continued—

"--I checked the museum's register. Since it was Jielina and Jello's wedding day, not many people would have gone to the museum. According to the surveillance footage and interrogation records, only one guard came to report the incident naked. Other than that, there is no other useful information."

"I believe Duran and Flavia already know about this; they have told Francis's daughter about her father's death."

At this point, we saw the girl from Puxi making a sinister face at her best friend.

Lawrence then asked, "So how did you two know about Francis's death?"

Duran: "It's because..."

Lawrence interrupted him directly, "Speak properly, think it through before you speak, Duran!"

Duran: "It's because of my Soul Power ability."

Lawrence remained silent for a long, long time, seemingly considering the importance of "The <The Starry Night>." He was unaware of the painting's secret; Hasben had never reported Jacqueline's connection to Canaan's life to the Eleventh District emergency information system.

Lawrence now simply believes that Duran and Flavia were short of money, and that the sisters must have had some shady relationship with the painting. Even if they didn't steal it, they knew Francis was dead before they escaped from prison.

"Hmm, very convincing." Lawrence hesitated inwardly, but ultimately decided not to cause trouble for the sisters.

Because Duran is right--

--[Timeline] is a very important force for the Little Brotherhood. It is much more valuable than <<The Starry Night>>, but it is only worth about ten million Hui Stone Currency. As long as Duran and Flavia behave, they can earn more money for the Religious order.

Let's steer the conversation to another equally important matter.

"Puxi, tell everyone about our new friends."

Before the Cult Leader had finished speaking, Puxi immediately walked to the screen with an air of self-importance, as if afraid of being overshadowed by someone else.

"She slaughtered all the Blood Knights at Clearwater Bay Station! She burned the police station to the ground! Not a single one survived, not even the police dogs!"

Once this is said...

--The core members present were completely silent; no one uttered a sound.

Even Lawrence seemed surprised and didn't reply for a long time.

"Nobody knows she did it? She went alone?"

Puxi quickly replied, "Nobody knows."

Lawrence: "How did she do that?"

Puxi carefully recalled what Leslie from Silver Bay had said.

The Black Brother was nervous and embarrassed in front of the Puxi magistrate. When he talked about this murderous devil, he was covered in cold sweat and trembling with fear.

"She spent an hour and a half observing the terrain, first making an excuse that her pet was lost, then went to the Civil Investigation Department to check the deployment of regular armed forces. Under the pretense of going to the restroom, she ran to the second and third floors, found the armory and the explosives disposal unit. After counting the heads, she returned to the first floor, sabotaged some of the cameras and elevator cables in the electrical room, and then surrounded the police station with two police tapes."

Puxi calmly and clearly explained the entire process.

"She was extremely efficient. On the first floor, she used Kimber to shoot and kill the basic security personnel, tied up all the clerks, and while the armed team upstairs changed their gear and prepared to come down to quell the riot, she went back upstairs through the ventilation duct, changed into her full gear, climbed out the window, killed all the dogs in the kennel, leaving the last one as a decoy, and drove it into the ventilation duct."

"Taking this opportunity, she killed all the Blood Knights, and six key members were killed by her running over with a fire truck. The photos are on the Four Eyes's wife's phone."

At this point, even Lawrence Madison found it incredible.

With the power of the Heaven's Gate, killing so many people and ensuring no one survives would be an almost impossible task.

He can only open one door at a time—and even if the doors open and close extremely quickly, there will always be lucky ones who escape from a place unseen by God.

After a long while, the figure behind the screen finally spoke and asked.

"What is her soul power?"

Puxi: "I don't know, she didn't use a spirit."

Before Lawrence could even speak, the Little Brotherhood's representative had already begun a hysterical roar.

"How is that possible!"

This agent is called White Paper Fan.

--They are also the main negotiators in the Little Brotherhood's business dealings. If a gang needs a leader or a temporary head, then the White Paper Fan is the face of the Little Brotherhood.

His nervousness wasn't due to the terrifying destructive power Glory had expressed.

Rather, the return of Duran and Flavia signaled that his position as agent was in jeopardy.

Now that the Black Snake and White Snake have brought back such a powerful ally, it proves that White Paper Fan's good days are coming to an end.

Lawrence snapped, "What are you so nervous about? Are you scared? White Paper Fan? Have you done something wrong? This warrior killed the Star Realm Gang's lackeys and traitors. Are you worried about those lizardmen?"

"No, no!" White Paper Fan quickly explained, "Cult Leader, I didn't mean that!"

Lawrence continued, "Keep a good job. As long as your business doesn't go wrong in the next election, I won't abandon you."

The White Paper Fan breathed a sigh of relief, "Yes."

At this moment, the man in his early thirties wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and looked at the figure behind the screen with utmost awe.

Lawrence then continued—

" --Francis died for the Religious order, and the position of guardian of the treasure became vacant."

When this was mentioned, everyone perked up.

The three most important seats in the Little Brotherhood are the Agent, the Guardian of the Treasure, and the Swordholder.

It represents transactions, treasury accounts, and armed violence.

Francis Ferdinand was a respected elder in this criminal Religious order, and being able to speak face-to-face with Lawrence Madison meant he was a trusted long-time employee of the Cult Leader.

Whoever gets the position of guardian of the treasure can enter and leave the Cult Leader's treasury. Just sitting in this position and living a life of leisure is an immense blessing in itself.

They don't need to enter dangerous chemical workshops, they don't need to scheme against Guangling Zhixi and Qingjin, and they don't need to risk their lives fighting amidst gunfire.

If it weren't for Francis's twisted hobby of cannibalism, he wouldn't have died so mysteriously under the Cult Leader. Staying at the Blackland Royal Hotel is equivalent to losing one's freedom, yet there are always those who desperately crave that sense of security.

Lawrence: "Puxi, are you willing to take over your father's business?"

This sentence put immense pressure on the young woman from Puxi.

She was tempted to agree immediately, but her four other siblings were watching her closely.

If she agreed to this, her mangled body might be found on the street tomorrow, and besides, she loathed this father and had no desire to accept this favor.

"I have no such intention, Cult Leader. My abilities are not yet sufficient."

When discussing this matter, Puxi Girl displayed her wit, saying that anyone who had seen the true face of the Cult Leader had never met a good end. Looking at the two young and strong Madness Butterfly beside White Paper Fan, they both possessed deadly soul power, making them even more destructive than [Hell Neighbor].

The position of security guard at the treasury had already been coveted; she couldn't take it, she didn't deserve it.

"Besides, this isn't something I can decide; it depends on what everyone else says."

Puxi, going with the flow, pushed this hot potato out.

Lawrence then asked, "Duran?"

Duran immediately shook his head. "I just got out of jail, and you want me to go back to jail? That's not appropriate, is it, Cult Leader?"

She laughed awkwardly while winking at the officials around her, as if she were handing over all her power.

Lawrence: "Flavia?"

Cici Flavia immediately shook her head, her face full of reluctance.

"Respect for elders and Cult Leader! Right now, I only have one thing on my mind: making money!"

That's quite a clever way of putting it. Even if White Paper Fan loses her job as an agent, she'll still get the lucrative position of "Guardian of the Treasure" according to Flavia's "respect for elders." This implicitly supports White Paper Fan's continued tenure. The latter part, "making money," means that during her trip to the Green Wine workshop, she found a suitable assistant and is ready to immediately get to work.

Lawrence immediately asked the White Paper Fan, "And you, Uracross?"

When the Cult Leader called out his real name White Paper Fan trembled slightly, and then said, "I will obey the Cult Leader's orders! Wherever the Cult Leader wants me to shine, I will become the sun."

"Can't you say something nice for once? We're all born of blood," Lawrence cursed. "If you want to sunbathe, choose a suitable day for your burial. Stop spouting this useless flattery."

White Paper Fan: "Excuse me, Cult Leader."

Lawrence then looked at the two young people outside the screen.

"Black Gloves, do you want to be the treasure guardian?"

[Part ② - Door]

This code name corresponds to the White Paper Fan — the Black Gloves represents the person in the Little Brotherhood who is responsible for doing the dirty and hard work.

However, the young man was still immersed in the Blood Knights tragedy, wondering if he could handle the matter as cleanly and beautifully as Glory.

Lawrence: "Black Gloves? Black Gloves, are you listening?!"

This young man from Bolivia was from the same hometown as Duran, and he suddenly realized what was happening when he heard the Cult Leader's rebuke.

"Oh, I don't want to be the guardian of the treasure. I only have one goal: to ensure the safety of my brothers' property and their health."

To this day, the Little Brotherhood only three Swordholders.

--They are all dead. The position has been vacant for four years. No one has ever seen the first Swordholder, who was Lawrence's good brother Milik. The two who came later, as Puxi said, were truly ruthless Little Brotherhood, killing at least two hundred Bloodletting Units and making great achievements.

Such people generally don't live long; they either wither away quickly under the torment of the Vita Imprint and holy blood, or die in all sorts of bizarre assassinations under the special care of hostile forces.

"Fly Man?" Lawrence looked at the last officer. "Do you have this idea?"

"Absolutely." The last cadre was wearing a gas mask and a hazmat suit, as if he had just come out of the workshop and rushed to the meeting, forgetting to change his equipment.

Lawrence: "Then you'll temporarily take over as the guardian of the treasure. Does anyone have any objections?"

The Fly Man seemed quite naive, completely ignoring the fierce look in White Paper Fan's eyes.

"Flavia's back, and I can finally leave my narcotics business alone. Boss, if she runs away again, you'd better find another narcotics master to fill in—I don't have that ability, you know that?"

The White Paper Fan said, "I have no objection."

But a turmoil stirred within him; he wanted not only the power of an agent, but also the power to distribute the assets.

Puxi: "I have no objection."

Black Gloves: "I have no objection."

Duran: "I have no objection, godfather."

Flavia: "Can this guy really manage the money? What if he makes his brothers work for nothing?"

"I'll have Mana supervise him. Don't worry," Lawrence Madison added. "The rest of you can leave; Duran and Flavia stay."

--After the Little Brotherhood's representative, the armed group members, and the head of the brown sugar factory in the lower-tier market left.

The new guardian of the treasure glanced at Duran, who never took off his Fly Man. Like a kind and gentle uncle, he patted Flavia on the shoulder, telling Flavia to behave, and then left the courtyard.

Lawrence Madison emerged from behind the screen.

This wasn't the first time he had revealed his true face to his two goddaughters, but every time they saw it, Duran and Flavia felt a nameless fear.

Mr. Lawrence said calmly.

"I kept you two here to clarify a few conditions. I feel the time is ripe. You've truly surprised me greatly. Duran, tell me the truth—is Glory's formidable fighting power due to your [Timeline] helping her?"

Duran's expression changed drastically; she didn't know how to answer that question.

What exactly did the Cult Leader want to ask?

What he wanted to know was: what exactly was Glory's relationship with them? Or was it Glory's Soul Power ability?

Or is there some other, more important information?

"No!" Duran would never lie. "No, absolutely not!"

Lawrence took a deep breath, feeling an intense unease mixed with ecstasy.

"That means she really did single-handedly, relying on her tactics and execution, wipe out the Blood Knights' stronghold."

Flavia was always a step behind, only knowing that the Cult Leader was very happy, so she chimed in, "Yes! Yes! The Star Realm Gang's good days are over!"

Lawrence gently ruffled Duran's hair, speaking in a somber and indifferent tone.

"She's a good girl, you should cherish this friendship. If nothing unexpected happens, I will definitely support you, Duran, in the next election of agents—as for Glory, she will become your Swordholder."

Duran: "Understood."

Lawrence whispered almost in Duran's ear, "Don't think about betraying me. I know you're in pain, your heart is in turmoil, and a lot of confusion and uncertainty is seeping from your sweat, Claudia Ars Duran —but Flavia is so innocent, she's lovely, isn't she?"

Duran: "Yes."

Lawrence: "Hemingway said that God did not create man to fail. I created you, I made you, and I can destroy you."

Duran: "Yes."

Lawrence: "I'll leave the matter of '<The Starry Night>' aside for now. Perhaps you're short of money, perhaps you and the sisters Glory and Stass need money, but I don't care about money at all—really, I don't care at all. I want power, eternal power. As long as Glory's power is at my disposal, then everything is negotiable."

At this moment, Duran looked at Flavia beside him, and could vaguely guess what the sisters were thinking.

Perhaps Flavia never truly repented!

She showed absolutely no remorse whatsoever!

She genuinely believed that Lawrence Madison would create a paradise for her!

She could go to the Green Wine factory and continue her heinous work for the Little Brotherhood.

She's still alive and well, and her smile is beautiful! But her heart is like a dead flower, about to rot!

This honesty, this naturalness, this sense of peace and acceptance—it didn't seem feigned at all! Even the Cult Leader believed that Flavia was a docile lamb who should return to God's embrace!

"Not just Xiangwan—" the Cult Leader emphasized, "—once we wipe out the Star Realm Gang, Snow City and Meccay, Three Towns and the four surrounding nameless villages will all become the territory of the Little Brotherhood. If Glory is strong enough, the entire Forty-Eight District will be ours. I can have someone change your appearance, even perform gender reassignment surgery on you, so no one will recognize you. I will put you in the position of governor."

Duran remained silent, trying to engage his mind to evoke feelings of "joy" and "pleasure."

"But I have conditions," Lawrence emphasized. "You will always be my dearest daughter. I will always be your father."

Meanwhile, Leslie, acting as the middleman between Silver Bay and the Little Brotherhood, rushed back to the hotel.

Xue Ming hadn't even settled in yet, still cleaning the bloodstains from his suit. These days, people aren't like Batman, with so many suits to change into.

As soon as Leslie knocked on the door, he saw the female warrior in her pajamas, looking furious.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I've arrived at a bad time."

Xue Ming: "Speak plainly."

Leslie: "Uh, the Cult Leader wants you to kill someone."

Xue Ming: "Kill a few? Who are they?"

Leslie didn't say anything, she just handed over the notebook.

Xue Ming opened it and saw that it was from the Snow City Star Realm Gang of lizardmen, which was also a drug trafficking gang.

She immediately beamed, a smile that Leslie found utterly terrifying.

"Hey, family gatherings are great, and we even get to give birthday presents, how wonderful! Does that mean if I get two hundred people, I can meet the Cult Leader?"

"It's not up to me to decide this," Leslie stammered, before the door slammed shut.

Xue Ming went back to the washroom to wash clothes and hung everything to dry in front of the small heater.

She opened the letter left by her teacher, Victor, and had already read more than half of it.

This part mostly discusses the ecological structure of the Little Brotherhood.

--Including the personal information of the six officers, and Puxi's understanding of the Little Brotherhood members.

These Grey Robe Monk controlled a network of connections across all walks of life in Forty-Eight District. There were two hundred bars, sixteen nightclubs, and countless KTVs and dance halls. As a hub of the intercity rapid rail network, serving as a transit point for multiple stations in the south, and located right next to the Transportation Department, it was a prime location during the pioneering era. Groundwater resources allowed it to grow rapidly, but also caused it to decay quickly.

The most important information concerns the Cult Leader's "Heaven's Gate."

"The Cult Leader can only open one door at a time. No matter how fast the doors open and close, only one door can be opened or closed at a time."

"To activate this ability, the Cult Leader must know where the exit of the door is—he must have a clear understanding of the door's location. Even if the door's frame is damaged and cannot be used as a 'door,' if even the basic door shape cannot be maintained, this divine power cannot be activated."

"According to Puxi's recollection, the Cult Leader left back doors in Eleventh District, Forty-Eight District, District 18. These doors were maintained and repaired by specialized personnel. They were his early shortcuts for drug trafficking. Now, this method of drug trafficking is too dangerous for him, so he has abandoned it."

"But these doors are not closed, just like room 1185 in Hedland, and like the Rabbit Hole; the Cult Leader always leaves himself a way out."

"He controlled all the prison doors through Hedland's surveillance system. If the cameras malfunctioned, he would lose control of these unfamiliar doors. But as for the [Rabbit Hole], it was a lifeline he had memorized and would never dare to forget."

"If you want to defeat him, you must find the White Paper Fan and the Fly Man. These two are closely related to the Cult Leader and are of very high seniority—they have done many things for the Cult Leader, and they know the location of [the Rabbit Hole]."