Act 4: Legame-The Bond

Foreword:

Time can reveal what is hidden, and it can also dim the brilliance of the dazzling.

--Horace

Taking off his coat and unbuttoning his shirt, Jiang Xueming carefully examined his pectoral muscles in the mirror and could see a charred fist mark.

Those were wounds inflicted by the enemy's soul power. Before the Universal Elixir took effect, Jody's spirit collided with Fragrant Dream's iron armor. During the attack between the cliff and the iron stairs, Xue Ming's chest area was bombarded by this terrifying force. The immense heat had nowhere to go, like the high temperature emitted by iron rubbing against stone, burning a black mark on his shirt and sweater.

"Father." Oscar squatted by the sink, looking at Jiang Xueming's muscular physique. "Who exactly are you? All I know is that I brought you to the Elf Holy Land on the BOSS's orders—you need to find a suitable spirit for Jamie and his daughter. But I know nothing about your background."

"The fighting spirit you've displayed, your composure and decisiveness—all of this reminds me of an old friend."

"The enemy's spirit could shatter my chest cavity, break my ribs, and stop my heart from beating."

"But you suffered the same attack, yet you only sustained superficial wounds."

"I had a vague feeling that this wasn't something I should be getting involved in."

"But."

At this point, Oscar was lost in thought. He had attended the gunsmith's funeral and mourned the hero in the mortuary.

Jiang Xueming took the knife and cleaned away the rotten flesh from his heart. The belated effects of the Universal Elixir healed the festering burn. He remained silent for a moment, then poured a bucket of water onto the toilet floor.

The water stains spread, heading down the corridor until there was nowhere left to stand. Only then did he feel relieved, certain that the [non-existent invisible man] hadn't followed—if Jody had, he would have left strange water stains and footprints as well.

"Oscar, what do you want to ask?"

Wolf suddenly abandoned his desire to get to the bottom of things. He thought to himself, if it were the Nameless One, if it were the Gunsmith, the most important thing right now would be to deal with the enemy, not to repeatedly torture his comrades.

"I want to go back alive; my wife and children are waiting for me."

"Father, do you have a solution?"

"I'm really at a loss. This time the enemy got away, he'll become even more cautious and cunning. He won't act rashly unless he's absolutely certain."

"What will happen to my family now that I've offended him?"

"Just like in District 18 seven or eight years ago, when I was working for Saladin, I had to be mindful of the War Gang's attitude. If I didn't do things to their liking, I wouldn't even be able to save my own organs. The wolf mother's children had to grovel before the Madness Butterfly and cut off two pieces of flesh from their bodies to offer as tribute to the Holy Church's masters."

Sometimes I think--

Oscar covered his face, touching his forehead to his chin, his expression a mixture of frustration and anxiety.

"--Why can't my spirit be more powerful? Why do I have no strength and can only do some production work? I can only be of some use during the busy farming season, and the rest of the time I'm just doing pointless research at the scientific research base."

"Father, if there really is a God in this world, has He ever manifested His power? Has He ever stood up to help us?"

Jiang Xueming dressed again, took out his Bible, and began reciting useless divine pronouncements from it.

"--All who draw their swords will die by their swords."

Oscar, who doesn't believe in God, did not respond.

Jiang Xueming added, "Don't show the Bible to a dog, just as you wouldn't give pearls to a pig."

"Hehehe," Oscar chuckled with relief. "What's next, my spiritual leader?"

"This guy doesn't dare stay with us because my punch seriously injured him," Jiang Xueming analyzed logically. "He needs rest and to eat human flesh to replenish his strength. Keep an eye on each of our companions; as soon as someone cries out for help, we'll find the devil's true form."

Just as Jiang Xueming said, Jody had completely lost his will to fight.

His skull had four cracks, and he was mentally unstable due to intracranial pressure imbalance. He could only steal food from the bowls of the war gang criminals to replenish his strength.

To evade scrutiny from the Spirit Calamity probes and railway logistics along the route, he carried neither essential consumables such as elixirs nor human flesh as a reserve.

Without George Joshua's rule over Lieyang Fort, only Jody could brazenly infiltrate the railway system. As a fellow spy of Judas, Fay Foroisin, if she wanted to return to the civilized land of the underworld, had to undergo a complete transformation, replacing her entire body with fresh human blood in order to reduce her Spirit Calamity concentration to a safe level.

A surgically modified bloodline body cannot exert much combat power; a healthy spirit needs a healthy body and mind to support it. Jody's advantage lies in his ability to approach high-value targets undetected while maintaining a relatively strong spirit state.

At this moment, he was hiding with several criminals by the warm and cozy fireplace, huddled with others in the activity room, wrapped in a fleece blanket, too afraid to fall asleep.

He feared that if he closed his eyes, he would never open them again, and the Night Demon would come to take his life.

"We need to find a helper."

"If this continues, I will die."

If he falls asleep like this, the moment [Return To Innocence] fails will be the moment of his death.

He had to find a relatively safe base. Spinach Heights only had eight dormitories, and the place to rest had to have a heat source, otherwise his body would develop epilepsy due to the low temperature—Commander Havana had mentioned this before. If blood donation units fell asleep in extremely low temperatures, their brains would suffer irreversible damage, and the best outcome upon waking would be that they would become mentally disabled.

Once everyone had fallen asleep, Jody grabbed a blanket, draped it over herself, and carefully made her way to the outpost leader's office.

He hid by the door, listening intently to the conversation inside the room.

Havana was exhausted. The transport team's work plan couldn't afford to fail, as it concerned her career advancement. But this inexplicable and terrifying enemy attack disrupted everything.

If the enemy could see and touch it, she could take some photos to leave some evidence and write a report to the Transportation Department to ask for a reward.

But this time, VIPs couldn't even catch a glimpse of them. It was more like a natural Spirit Calamity. Nobody knew what [Return To Innocence] was. The comrades in the transport team automatically ignored the matter under the influence of this strange psychic energy.

"Should we continue with Benni's operation plan, Commander Havana?" Mr. Koren from the hunting party asked. "To be honest, I'm a little taken aback. Why are we doing this?"

Havana replied impatiently, "How should I know?! Perhaps there are other explanations for all of this!"

Koren: "That extra shadow in the cafeteria might just be haunted."

Havana: "The collapse of the iron ladder was just an engineering accident caused by years of disrepair?"

Koren: "I'd rather think of it this way: it would be terrifying if a living, breathing person were hiding right next to us."

People tend to refuse to believe the most terrifying things, preferring to steer all speculations in a positive direction.

The ability [Return To Innocence] also amplifies this process, making people mistakenly believe that what they see is merely an illusion.

Just like in the material world, there are many unspoken rules that can only be talked about, but are completely incomprehensible and cannot be mentioned.

These rules influence our lives every moment; they are like invisible and intangible ghosts, untouchable and shrouded in mystery, constantly altering our understanding.

"Wait until the group members and workers wake up," Koren said in a low voice. "Do as the VIPs want? Tie them up?"

Havana: "That's all we can do. Mr. Oscar is highly respected in Saladin town. No matter how confused he is, we can only follow along and pretend he's just fooling around, playing a little game with him."

"But," Koren asked, "What about the work plan? Is everyone just going to stop working? The Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Geology are waiting for the data verification before spring; the year's work results need to be sent back to the town."

Havana thought for a moment, and another plan came to mind.

"You and the other two survival experts from the hunting party will handle this. When you're kidnapping them, those criminals will definitely be uncooperative, so you'll deliberately let them go—then I'll kill them, giving the VIP a way out while pinning the blame on the Blood-giving Monster."

"The strange things that have happened these past two days are all caused by these Blood-giving Monsters. Once the hunting party's reinforcements arrive, we'll have an explanation."

"With more people involved, it won't be our turn to solve this problem, and things will be easier to handle. Even if some ghosts are causing trouble—the newly appointed quartermaster will be held responsible."

The more Koren listened, the more sense it made. This Commander Havana was beautiful and kind-hearted; her plan was so considerate. "Great! That's the best way! I'll go rest now, and we'll kidnap them as you wish first thing tomorrow morning."

Havana waved impatiently, and once Koren was out of sight, she took out her phone and opened her photo album.

In the food diary section, there are intimate photos of Saint Josh Joris and herself.

Since the psychiatrist was executed by Maquire Copenhagen, Havana's heart has been empty. She has lost her pillar of support in life, and there is no one to guide her or teach her how to do things anymore.

Page after page of photographs bear witness to her friendship with the cannibal and record her inner transformation, from a naive and inexperienced auxiliary police officer who trampled on her colleagues' heads to a ruthless, decisive, and capable interrogation officer.

It was Saint Josh Joris who shaped her and made her who she was. To rise rapidly through the ranks in Saladin, this remote border town, and obtain an official position in the Hot Spring Market, Havana would not have been able to leave the valley for two or three years without some unconventional means.

She first used her auxiliary police mentor to claim credit; this mentor was good in every way, except that he liked to drink.

Havana fabricated a complete set of evidence of drunk driving using thirteen anonymous tip-off letters. She also hired an old man with a broken leg from the hunting group for two thousand dollars to falsely accuse her master of drunk driving and injuring the old man, thus successfully obtaining her master's salary.

Then she followed the same method, attacking the militia corporal on his personal moral issues, getting together with the mayor's wife through Saint Josh's connections, and then kicking the quartermaster's social circle a few times. In half a year, she became a familiar face, and naturally, the next interrogator was none other than her.

For Havana, the lesson Saint Josh taught her was that society still operates on a carnivorous law: it's either you eat me or I eat you.

She was very grateful to the psychologist for the valuable knowledge he gave her; after tasting human flesh, the ability to disregard life brought her wealth, status, and happiness.

"Do you want revenge for Saint Josh, Havana?"

A strange voice jolted Havana from her sweet memories. She instinctively reached for her gun, but a cold hand pressed it down on her hand.

Jody whispered almost in the black woman's ear, desperately needing a reliable companion and a warm room to treat his Brain Injury.

"Let's work together? Let's be friends?"

Early the next morning, several senior members of the hunting party informed the workers of the time.

--The hunters' reinforcements are on their way, and the rescue team will arrive at Spinach Heights in three days.

The four brothers of the Zhan Gang breathed a sigh of relief when they received the news; at least they wouldn't have to continue risking their lives to repair the tower and signal tower.

What puzzled Jiang Xueming was that the enemy hiding in the shadows seemed to have truly disappeared, making no further moves.

Last night, he and Wolf Brother took turns sleeping. It was his turn to be on duty for the second half of the night. Oscar only slept for six hours and is still asleep, but there hasn't been a sound.

He wandered around the duty room and dormitory a few times, carrying the sleeping Wolf Brother on his back as he aimlessly strolled around the base. During this time, he even encountered a coworker who got up to go to the toilet, which nearly scared the man to death.

But no matter how many times they looked around, they couldn't find any trace of the enemy.

Xue Ming was quite certain that no matter how resilient this enemy was, he would need sufficient sleep to heal his injuries when he was seriously wounded. Once he fell asleep, even the most powerful soul power would become ineffective.

There were only a few rooms in the base that could maintain heating. He even checked the icebreaker, spending the rest of the night constantly observing any place where he could hide and rest, but he found nothing—only Havana's office, a few female workers, and the women's dormitory where Benni lived. Jiang Xueming couldn't easily go in to investigate while carrying Wolf Brother.

"As instructed by the VIP, in order to investigate the psionic disaster that occurred at the base, we need to tie everyone up," Mr. Koren said, taking out a safety rope from his survival tools.

The workers cooperated, returned to the canteen, ate breakfast, and then gathered together.

Koren and two other survival experts from the hunting party began tying people up. In less than ten minutes, in addition to Oscar, Havana was also tied to a chair in the canteen with a safety rope.

"VIP!"

Havana, in a sarcastic tone, began her attack on Oscar.

"As you instructed, I've completed the task. What's next? All twenty-nine people are here. Where did the extra one go?"

Oscar was somewhat embarrassed. He had originally intended to use this method to protect the ordinary people in the transport team, and it would have been the best outcome if he could also tie up the [mysterious man].

Havana: "We're all here to work, VIP, are you treating us like criminals?"

With just a few casual words, the construction workers immediately followed up with, "VIP, are you really going to tie us up for three days and three nights? We still have work to do."

"Yes, if the construction is delayed, will I be able to pay salaries next month?"

"How about this, VIP, you untie me first, I'll cut myself once, you can taste my blood, I'm sure I'll be fine! Can I go work in the database?"

Oscar was holding his breath and had no intention of letting them go.

The stalemate lasted for four hours. He actually fed every member of the transport team, and accompanied them when they needed to urinate or defecate. However, the [invisible man] who had committed the murder earlier refused to act, seemingly having truly left.

As evening approached, people grew increasingly bored. They had sat in their chairs all day waiting, but nothing of the expected "Spirit Calamity" had occurred. The power of [Return To Innocence] made them more and more confused, and they could hardly remember the event. They even found Oscar's behavior somewhat absurd and rude. Time can reveal what is hidden, and it can also dim what is dazzling.

At that moment, Andro heard Big B's voice.

"Hello"

Andro: "Big B?"

Big B: "Havana is kind-hearted and wants us to find a way to escape ourselves."

Andro: "Such a good thing?!"

Big B: "Do you believe it?"

Andro: "I"

Big B: "I don't believe it either, but that's how it is. When she tied the rope for me, she left a slipknot— A Jie and Schopenhauer should be able to break free of the rope, run to the first platform, and then drive the icebreaker back to town, how about that?"

A Jie: "This woman wants me dead, I don't trust her!"

Andro: "I don't believe her either."

Big B: "Her old flame is dead. Saint Josh Joris and she had a close relationship, so it's only right that he helps us. If we wait any longer, and the hunting party arrives, we'll really have no chance to escape."

As he said this, Big B moved closer to Andro and forcibly untied the ropes binding Andro's hands.

The sound of the safety rope hitting the ground drew the attention of others, and for a moment Andro didn't know what to do; people were already looking over.

"You have a choice, Andro, you have a choice! Unlike us—what are you going to do now? Come with us? Or continue climbing the lighthouse to repair the cables?"

The metal hook on the safety rope clanged as it hit the ground—this was Havana's signal to draw her gun and kill.

--She struck a deal with Jody: Jody would help her deal with four criminals from the War Gang, help her kill Maquire, and avenge Saint Josh. In return, she would provide Jody with human flesh and a warm place to live.

At that moment, Havana shouted loudly, trying to pin the crime of Prison Break on Andro.

"Suspect! If you move again, I'll shoot you dead!"

But Andro didn't move; he didn't even move his legs—

--He also casually tied a knot in the safety ropes of his three brothers next to him.

Havana suddenly stood up, which frightened Big B and his two companions so much that they abandoned all hope of survival. When they saw the madwoman with a pistol raised as if she were about to suddenly kill someone, a sense of sorrow suddenly arose in their hearts.

Saladin was never given any help in his escape; every sweet word he uttered was a trap to kill.

Seeing that Andro showed no intention of fleeing and unable to find a suitable pretext to kill him, Havana shouted, "Sit back down!"

Andro didn't sit down. He had watched the whole journey, always yielding and compromising. Fate never seemed to give silent, timid people any chance. He wanted to be brave this time.

"Father, let's go get to work! We can't just stand here doing nothing; this isn't a good way to go."

Jiang Xueming was quite surprised; he didn't understand what Andro was trying to do.

Andro explained, "The Hunter's rescue team is coming, and the lighthouse and cables at Spinach Heights can't be damaged. If the basic power supply isn't guaranteed, we'll all freeze to death here."

As he said this, the leader of the Tyrannosaurus Warrior Gang looked at Havana with a fierce gaze.

"Is that correct, Commander Havana? You recently borrowed money from Blood Butterfly Loan Shark?"

Havana: "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"I used to be a loan shark," Andro said. "There are always aftereffects after bleeding someone dry, and your demeanor is just like a loan shark's."

Havana did indeed provide Jodi with some human flesh, using her own thigh meat to prepare a delicious dinner for the ogre. This physical injury left her looking listless and weak.

The tense atmosphere didn't last long. Feeling guilty Havana thought—this might be an opportunity.

Jody wanted the priest dead, and these blood donation units also needed to work in the tower, so it was better to wipe them all out now to avoid any unforeseen complications.

Oscar didn't say much; he knew Zhang Congfeng could protect himself. His task was simple: Andro had already identified the traitor within the group who had sided with the devil, and he had to survive two nights.

The second round of the duel was set at the lighthouse.

These few treacherous Blood-giving Monster will become the X factor that decides the outcome.