Ivory Tower

Upon receiving the mission signal from the [Remix] harassment operation, 9527 immediately hid with several babies, seeking the BOSS's protection. In the chaotic and turbulent situation, no one could guarantee what would happen next.

Ming De was fully prepared. The substitution of one person for another in this fake death ceremony was done with great care and naturalness. The specific execution plan had been drafted six months ago— David Victor's [Hell Highway] would control the death row inmate and select the actor. Then, the Gate of Wonders and Wood Plark would use drugs and hypnosis to issue the orders.

The tragedy that occurred on the armed special train was entirely within the production team's expectations from beginning to end.

Apart from Pellegrini Tuan himself, all the police officers, Qingjin, and the scapegoat who looked exactly like Jiang Xueming were fake.

The execution of forty-one serious criminals left behind Mr. Chen Fugui, who was critically injured and on the verge of death, almost turned into mincemeat. When he used the special ability of the [Heartbreaker] to transform back into Wood Plark's body, he was only a few minutes away from being reincarnated.

The Vita Imprint that erupted from Pellegrini's body did a great job of destroying the scene. The White Lady, who had been enhanced by the essence of Immortals, had a voracious appetite and devoured almost all the corpses in the carriage, leaving only bare bones. Fugui almost became a blood donor for the Immortals and had to stay in the VIP tea room for later observation and treatment, unable to get out of bed for a while.

The smokescreen had a clear effect. In the week following the Pellegrini transport accident, Ming De had no time to rest, either holding press conferences or conducting criminal investigations with other staff at the crime scene.

The reception area at the anonymous location was almost bursting at the seams.

--Every day, the line of people who come to comfort the families of heroes stretches from Fenxing's small house all the way to Longhua Road in Moon Lane.

Whether the gunsmith was dead or alive, before Ming De could even give a definite answer, rumors had already sentenced this hero to death.

In just one week, the incident had escalated to an uncontrollable point. People began to raise various flags and use various signs to resume their old ways of swindling and defrauding, and began to test the capabilities of local security and anti-fraud public agencies—if they failed, they would have the opportunity to make big money and commit serious crimes.

Xiao Qi hid in the cabinet for seven days, hearing all sorts of rumors every day. She didn't know when this would end.

The boss said everything depends on the situation. If things don't improve, 9527 and Xue Ming's little darlings will have to stay in the cabinet and become another kind of prisoner.

Tang Ning and Hasben in charge of the basic operations for the anonymous team, ensuring JoeStar's core functionality.

--When they received news of the gunsmith's death, Tang Ning and Hasben stunned. They weren't insiders at [Remix] and found the whole thing utterly absurd.

But in the following days, the two young people were almost overwhelmed by a mountain of letters and a multitude of questions and condolences, as well as all sorts of problems.

When the gunsmiths were alive, they weren't under this much pressure. But after news of their deaths spread throughout the underworld, in just seven days, Tang Ning, as the head of internal affairs, received over seven hundred threatening letters with significant implications.

The Nameless One is a senator who helps those in need; its function determines its nature and is destined to attract a lot of trouble.

What gave Tang Ning a headache was this: these threatening letters came from all over the country. When the rumor that the gunsmith teacher was dead spread like wildfire, these thugs and hooligans who had once been educated by the nameless man seemed to immediately become arrogant and wanted to intensify their violence.

These are just the people who had the leisure, and were so angry and exasperated, that they wrote letters to anonymous people.

--If we include the more career-driven criminals who don't have time to write letters, it's estimated that these people have already started planning their criminal comeback.

Tang Ning muttered numbly, "There are forty-three threatening letters about telephone bombs, all from areas under the jurisdiction of the Red Stone People."

Hasben: "He has quite a temper."

A dim starlight shone through the office; it was the light emitted by the fungi, midges, and a host of parasites in the starlit sky.

Tang Ning took a letter out of the thick file folder--

"--Ham, the elderly father from the Third New Town, sends his greetings to the anonymous person."

Fortunately, life didn't continue in such a despair; the prison canteen was serving pig feed to the inmates.

"They used my fat ass as a tool to vent their anger, simply because I was accused of sexually harassing my daughter."

"That damn gunsmith is finally dead. You just wait. All the grievances and anger I've accumulated over the years will turn into a liquid bomb. I'm going to personally get justice."

Hasben was incredulous. "Really? Is this old man serious?"

Tang Ning: "Which one is true? Which sentence are you asking about?"

"He actually harmed his own daughter?" Hasben was furious. "This kind of person deserves to be shot! Keeping him in prison is a waste of food!"

Tang Ning pursed her lips and shook her head. "That's not true. His daughter came to us crying and begging for justice because her father is indeed quite perverted. He often sniffs his daughter's underwear, and we felt that this fatherly love would eventually turn sour—we communicated with the local police force in advance to protect the girl. But Ham resisted the law violently and stormed the Police Department. Of course, he has to be sent to prison for proper reflection and education."

Hasben: "He's really going to drop a bomb on us?"

Tang Ning put down the letter. "It's not that easy. It's just that the teacher isn't here, so these potential criminals [who have been wronged] start to party."

Hasben covered his face, unsure of what to say.

Tang Ning's SAN value had been dropping wildly from reading so many letters these past few days, so she decided to give her junior brother a good boost and pulled out another letter.

Hahahahahahahahahaha

He read through the string of HAHs expressionlessly, finally arriving at the main text of the letter.

"You bastard! I've finally waited for this day! Do you even remember what good deeds you've ever done in the past?"

"I was supposed to get a promotion and work at the Transportation Department in the Third District. All I had to do was take a few kills, and I was going to be transferred out of the battle group! But you shameless, filthy idiot! You stole all my credit! My marriage! My wonderful life!"

"It's all your fault! It's all your fault! Why do you get to sit in that position and live such a good life!"

"After you die, your wife and children will be left without anyone to take care of them! I'll find a chance to help you! Or maybe I can let them come and keep you company?"

Tang Ning shrugged indifferently.

--There are quite a few threatening letters like this, most likely sent by former low-ranking officers in regional warbands. Perhaps they see the expedition as a business, hoping to advance their careers and make a fortune in it, but the anonymous ones are blocking their path to wealth.

When the teacher was still alive, no one dared to send letters here.

Most of these letters contained much talk but little action; they were just criminals gloating and taking advantage of the situation to vent their grievances and get revenge.

The real trouble comes from those little devils whose crimes don't warrant death and who have the opportunity to be released from prison.

Tang Ning took the letter from another file folder--

--This is a letter from an elderly mother seeking help.

"What did the BOSS say? How is Mr. Gunsmith?"

"He can't die, right?"

"My son called me again from jail recently, asking me to prepare some money. He wants to open a casino after he gets out, and I don't know what to do."

"I came to the nameless people before, begging you for help to send him to reformation. He chopped off his own finger, wanting to turn over a new leaf and start anew."

"But after that video was released, it seemed like he gradually reverted to his old ways."

"He cursed at me on the phone, saying I was a wicked woman who would even harm her own son, and that I wasn't human."

"So, how is the gunsmith? I don't know if the militia will get involved in my family's affairs. I'm also a family member of a criminal, but I only have this one son."

"If he makes another mistake, could you please help him change for the better? I'd even beg you to cut off a few more fingers if you wanted."

I want him to live.

In addition, there are juvenile delinquents.

Tang Ning took out another file folder and continued muttering to himself.

"It's clear that the law of the jungle still prevails in this world."

"Gunsmith, when you personally sent me to prison, you told me that assault and murder were serious crimes, but I believe that this is your most powerful skill, and I need to find some suitable test subjects to imitate and learn from, right?"

"I'm clearly your admirer, yet you're telling me that's a crime. It's really giving me a headache."

"Although I am only thirteen years old, I believe my mind is much clearer than that of other children my age, and even smarter than some adults."

"Your death shocked me, but also brought me a strange sense of joy, proving that I was right—my beliefs were correct."

"A Senate like this, whose members are shrouded in mystery, should be punished accordingly. It is a form of tyranny used to oppress our free will."

"Hehehehehehe, I learned a lot in prison. It's not as scary as the rumors say; it's actually my paradise."

"The most heinous criminals are worshipped by their fellow inmates. Economic and political prisoners are often the leaders because they devour people quickly and effectively. Many petty thieves and despicable criminals end up at the bottom of the food chain, scum that even prison guards despise."

"Occasionally, we see offenders involved in sexual assault cases being thrown in, and they don't face any discrimination from us because there aren't any women here. We need to ask these [experienced] guys why they're being brought in. Is it because they didn't serve their victims well?"

"In short, your anonymous act was like a piece of performance art, quite amusing, Mr. Gunsmith."

"I thought the underground world after the expedition would be boring forever, but I never expected that this period of imprisonment would become such a wonderful spice in my life."

"I've learned a lot of skills. Although people are out of touch with society, they all have great ambitions, always talking about multi-million dollar projects. It makes me look forward to the future too. But the thought of your existence gives me a deep sense of pain—because you don't let people like us get rich, you don't let people like us have an easy life."

"Perhaps it was the great power of collective karma that came into play. Just as I was about to be released from prison, I received the news of your death. It was so good, so wonderful, so dreamlike."

"I'm turning fourteen soon, and life without you is truly wonderful."

Hasben was furious. "I'll extend that brat's sentence! Damn it! I'll wait for him outside his jail! I'll wait for him there!"

"Are you a primary school student?" Tang Ning covered her face, unsure what to say. "Are you going to challenge this little brat to a fight after school?"

Hasben pressed on, "What crime did he commit?"

Tang Ning: "The purchase of controlled knives and decorative parts for some firearms, which lacked structural components, caught the attention of the logistics company. When the militia came to their door, this kid tried to violently resist the law and was apprehended on the spot."

Hasben: "Huh?"

Tang Ning: "He was sent to a juvenile detention center for reformation, where he turned to the dark side. When he returned to school, his classmates mocked him, so he pulled out a utility knife and stabbed one of them. That's why he was sent to a juvenile detention center."

Hasben: "Huh?"

There are many, many more cases like this, almost piled up like a mountain. Tang Ning sits in the host's seat in the anonymous office, always acting as a listener, solving people's problems in life in great detail.

After the gunsmith's death, these previously settled grudges resurfaced like mushrooms after rain.

This was also a major test for the two students. Without the gunsmith and the Big Sister, the nameless students, once their aura shattered, became targets, vulnerable to attack at any moment.

"You can leave now, I have to see my guests." Tang Ning asked his junior brother to make room for the visitors who were queuing up for business in the afternoon, as his break time was over.

Hasben looked at his senior brother with worry. "Teacher... he won't..."

"He won't die!" Tang Ning exclaimed, her expression becoming agitated. "I don't believe it, I never will—the goddess of fate favors the brave! I can't accept this fact, think about it, Hasben— "

"--What makes Pellegrini capable of killing his teacher? Was he braver than his teacher? Was he stronger than his teacher? Perhaps I could accept the reason that a traitor in the lapis lazuli, along with a mole within the escort team, killed his teacher."

Hasben: "The boss hasn't released any substantial information; this isn't over yet."

"Let's put it another way," Tang Ning said, pursing his lips. The thought of his Big Sister leaving with their teacher nearly drove him to despair. "Bailu can still hold up the brand, but we should really think about whether we can continue running Joestar if our teacher really has to retire one day."

"I understand." Hasben seemed thoughtful, feeling that Tang Ning was far more mature than him. Without asking any further questions, he hurriedly left the office.

When the Rangers arrived on the first floor, people sat quietly in their seats as they entered the bar, without rushing around asking questions. This was all thanks to the rules set by Red Sister, the housekeeper.

Regular customers are very polite. Whenever a newcomer arrives, they will take the initiative to inform them of the club's basic etiquette, emphasizing the need to maintain the sanctity of this place.

No one stopped Hasben; people simply watched the young man silently, the gunsmith's prized student—a gaze that made Hasben feel uneasy.

"[Ivory Tower]! Follow him—perhaps we can get news about the gunsmith's family from him." A stranger muttered Soul Might's real name. This guest had just arrived in the Nine Realms and immediately barged into the Nameless One's Club.

The moment Hasben stepped out the door, the unfamiliar guest immediately stood up, seemingly lacking much experience in espionage or surveillance. After paying the bill, he immediately began his operation.

He looked to be in his early thirties, with sparse stubble and a head of short, black hair; judging from his appearance, he was likely Korean.

His name is Kim Taekang, a member of the Immortals Alliance. He blatantly flaunts his arrival at the starting point of the entire underworld, venturing deep into the lion's den to carry out an assassination mission concerning the gunsmith's family and loved ones.

All his reliance stemmed from his unique soul power, which allowed him to conceal the Spirit Calamity index of his holy blood and to use his disguise skills to change his appearance.

"[Ivory Tower]!"

Hasben was about to lead the military dog away when he grabbed Black Brother's rope and took the big wolf out of the kennel.

The faint psionic fluctuations aroused his suspicion, and he suddenly turned around to look at the stranger who had followed him to the side of the workshop.

Hasben asked, "What's the matter?"

Kim Taekang took off his coat and hung it on the hook of the workshop's door, smiling and opening his arms to indicate that he was unarmed.

"I want to ask you, do you know where 9527 and the gunsmith's children are?"

Hasben wanted to refuse--

But for a moment, my mind seemed to freeze.

He only felt a slight chill from the dog leash, and these restless feelings gradually took over his mind.

This is such a hassle, such a hassle! I might as well just tell the truth—that's what he was thinking.

Everything was geared towards making oneself comfortable, so one blurted out the answer without thinking.

"In the Cabinet"

Kim Taekang suddenly realized. "Oh! In the Cabinet! Thank you!"

Only after the stranger left did Hasben's pupils dilate violently, finally realizing that he seemed to be under mind control.

"What happened? Why... why am I like this?"

[Kid? What are you wondering about?]

The Canaanite life form hidden within him showed no suspicion of this special psychic power and seemed completely unaware of the abnormal phenomena occurring within Hasben.

"Ah!" Hasben covered his head and put down the Black Brother's dog leash.

He glanced down again, but was startled by the Black Brother's expression!

This offspring of the divine beast originally had a somewhat imposing military dog-like air about him, but right now, Black Brother's belly is swollen, as if he's completely forgotten about his training exercises and has gotten much, much fatter!

Ahei's eyes narrowed unnaturally, becoming fierce and aggressive, like a well-fed boar. When it saw Hasben about to pick up the leash, it immediately became ruthless. Only after Hasben took a few steps back did Ahei retreat back into the kennel and lie down next to the food window.

"What exactly happened?"

Hasben felt his mind begin to swirl; he couldn't think clearly, and everything pointed to one thing.

"I don't want to work anymore, it's such a hassle -- why do teachers have to die?"

"Why choose to die at this critical juncture?"

He murmured these words, then covered his mouth in surprise as he spoke them.

I clearly wanted to do it before winter.

"I'll find an opportunity to confess my feelings to Glory one more time..."

He tried his best to fight against this instinct—

But fatigue brought him down.

"Why don't we leave these tasks to others?"

"I think I should go find Bailu now."

"It's good to see her; she looks a lot like Glory."

As he said this, Hasben seemed to have forgotten all about his work.

He untied his heavy carrying gear, dressed in the most comfortable way, and took the gunsmith's pipe from the workshop. He had thought about it for a long time and finally decided to try to experience what it felt like for his teacher to smoke, completely forgetting about the "Bailu" event.

I could hear the hustle and bustle of people coming from the bar, and the cards were being slapped on the table with a crisp sound.

Hasben immediately headed to the bar's entertainment room, grabbed his pipe, and rushed into the lobby.

Red Sister immediately noticed something was wrong—

" --Hasben! What are you doing! Smoking is prohibited in the lobby!"

Hasben barely reacted, only finding Red Sister blocking his way annoying, and without thinking, he called upon his Soul Power.

The Spark Queen pushed aside Red Sister's frail body, shoved her onto the sofa, and she fell onto the guests.

"That's great!" Hasben squeezed past a customer and sat down at the gambling table, his demeanor exactly like his gambling-loving father, Lawrence Madison.

Hasben was acting on instinct; when a guest tried to take a seat, he was immediately punched by the Spark Queen, who beat him so badly that blood flowed from his mouth and nose, and he trembled and cried out in alarm.

"You have an amazing hand!"

Hasben held up his Texas Hold'em cards, still grinning.

"That's great! You can win big money!"