Battered and Disheveled, the Golden Serpent Banner

At dawn, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

The long, slightly curved highway stretches into the distance.

On both sides of the mountains, some are still covered with lush vegetation, their colors mostly verdant, while others are fiery red like clouds, with scattered rocks on the slopes like blank spaces.

In other places, the mountains are covered in withered yellow leaves, which are about to fall.

A cold wind was blowing hard, and two or three clumps of tumbleweed were pushed diagonally across the road by the wind, scattering their seeds far away.

Chu Tianshu brought only Jon with him here, strolling leisurely like he was taking a walk, his movements as swift as a blur. Only after spotting the target town did he slow down.

Both of them slightly altered their appearance.

Jon now appears to be tall and thin, with a hooked nose, a pale and expressionless face, and a long, cloth-wrapped stick slung across his back. Even a skull scan would not reveal his disguise.

Chu Tianshu still had that carefree, smiling look, but it was hard to connect his face with the photos on the intelligence website.

He also used a magic spell on the Sanqi at his waist, which appeared to be a silver-hilted cross sword with a rose pattern.

In the Americas today, it's not uncommon to see people driving around with machine guns mounted on their cars, or wandering about ascetics carrying swords and banners.

Jon looked out at the town, his ears twitching, and said, "It's so early, yet the town is already quite lively?"

In the urban areas of major Americas cities, the lights often stay on all night, but in these small towns near the mountains, few people venture out at night.

Even during the day, it doesn't really get lively until the sun is high in the sky.

It's only early morning, but there are already many people walking and talking in the town.

Chu Tianshu listened intently.

The translator provided to him by the Special Investigation Bureau was always the latest model; this version could now adjust its listening range in conjunction with the user's Mind Power.

He now needs to hear things from afar; wherever his mind directs, the translator will also identify that direction.

Moreover, this device is equipped with dozens of common languages worldwide, as well as more than 300 dialects and slang terms, providing high-speed, concise translation.

For example, the dialect spoken in a small town on the outskirts of San Francisco.

Even someone like Jon, a true New York, might only half-understand what he's talking about.

Chu Tianshu listened with the help of the translator and understood everything perfectly.

"The town is holding a logging competition these days."

"It seems like the competition is quite large. Towns around San Francisco will select their best lumberjacks to come here for the round of 32, until finally, a champion will be decided."

"Many residents from other towns came to cheer us on, and there are also tourists and media who are always eager to help; they've all been staying here recently."

As they spoke, the two had already entered the town.

Sure enough, in addition to various villas, buildings, and wooden houses, there were also many tents in the town, which were probably the nearest accommodations for the outsiders.

Lumberjack competitions are a common event in the Americas.

This land is sparsely populated and rich in resources. Even with many problems, the people at the bottom of society can still maintain a lot of vitality.

Many logging competitions are spontaneously organized locally, and once they reach a certain scale, they naturally attract capital.

Therefore, in addition to the most exciting lumberjack skills competition, various challenges and other competition events have been added.

For example, beer tasting, spirits competitions, mountain biking, chili-eating contests, and so on.

These competitions, interspersed around the time of the main logging competition, bring more excitement and ultimately create a carnival atmosphere.

It's still early, but in about half an hour, the round of 16 of the chili-eating contest will begin.

Curious spectators flocked to the competition venue, and the media had already taken their positions.

Chu Tianshu and his companion were completely inconspicuous among the recent influx of tourists.

The competition venue was an open space in the southwest of the town. Because there were many competitions recently, there were also many large wooden crates placed along the edge of the venue, some containing wine and others containing woodworking tools.

Jon jumped onto a large wooden crate, scanned the audience, and noticed nothing unusual.

Chu Tianshu crossed his arms, leaned against the wooden box, and slowly moved his gaze, taking in everyone.

"Um?"

Chu Tianshu suddenly blinked.

He originally intended to search for any trace of the Flame Demon Clan, but unexpectedly made a discovery.

On the periphery of the crowd, several homeless men were also peeking out, as if eager to watch the game.

One of the men was disheveled, with a full beard that obscured his features. He wore a black denim jacket, carried a long bamboo pole on his shoulder, and had a gray-green snakeskin bag on his shoulder.

Chu Tianshu stared at the man for a few seconds, then walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

The homeless man was startled. He quickly slipped his left hand into his sleeve, secretly pinched a card, and looked to his right.

Chu Tianshu smiled, "Fang Jun, what are you doing here?"

The homeless man stared wide-eyed, still unable to see through Chu Tianshu's disguise, but from his tone and voice, he could already tell his identity.

"It's you! You scared me to death!"

Fang Jun said in a low voice, "Shall we talk somewhere else?"

Chu Tianshu nodded and led him to the back.

Seeing this, Jon jumped off the wooden crate and followed.

The three walked into a grove of trees, where dappled sunlight illuminated the woods.

The tree trunks, which appear pitch black at night, are now gradually revealing their deep brown color. Dewdrops hang from the branches, and squirrels dart about in the forest.

Looking at the scenery, Fang Jun relaxed a bit, unloaded the bamboo pole and snakeskin bag on the ground, and plopped down on the snakeskin bag.

Chu Tianshu waved his left hand, and within a ten-meter radius, a light blue aura seemed to appear slightly and then disappear into the air.

"Now we can talk freely."

Chu Tianshu asked curiously, "Last time we talked, I heard you were getting a promotion. Why aren't you doing your job properly in the Macau Special Investigation Bureau? Why did you come to Americas?"

Fang Jun rubbed his face.

"I took leave to come here. Do you still remember my Uncle Nie?"

Chu Tianshu certainly hadn't forgotten.

Gambling King Nie Longding, Fang Jun's adoptive father, plotted in Macau to incite the accumulated resentment of the Macau over the years to be offered as a sacrifice to the High God Longhua, transforming himself into Ghost God god.

This person's cultivation and talent are actually quite good, but unfortunately, he has gone astray.

Chu Tianshu then killed him.

"Uncle Nie has a biological daughter who controls the various casinos, properties, and short-selling funds he left behind in North America— "

Fang Jun's expression was somewhat complicated. "When we were little, she and I were like siblings. I know that although she wasn't as cold-hearted as my adoptive father at heart, she was still stubborn and prone to going astray. Now that we've parted ways, we'll inevitably become enemies in the future."

"However, she called me several times, so I thought I could take the opportunity to persuade her, and that's why we still kept in touch."

Not long ago, instead of calling, she sent me a letter inviting me to North America.

Chu Tianshu's expression was subtle. "This sounds like a trap, doesn't it? You actually came?!"

"More than two thousand years ago, at that Feast at Hongmen, those who attended were the winners, while the one who hosted the feast was the loser."

Fang Jun made a joke, but his expression didn't show much joy as he continued.

"Moreover, Master White Horse cast a divination for me, saying that this journey will turn misfortune into good fortune, sever karmic ties, and break through mental barriers."

"After completing this journey, I can apply to enter the Grotto-Heaven and attempt a breakthrough."

In short, the higher-ups did approve Fang Jun's trip to North America.

After Fang Jun arrived, he did not blindly go to the appointment. Instead, he concealed his identity and conducted some indirect investigations first.

However, before he could find out the truth and officially reveal his identity, something unexpected happened to Miss Nie.

The Nie Family Manor was destroyed, turning into a sea of fire. The Audit Bureau's armed helicopters were dragged to the ground by the flames and exploded one after another.

When Victor arrived, he used the Soul-Summoning Banner to gather the Yin energy within a radius of four or five miles and extinguish the fire. However, he was attacked by a monster from the ashes and was caught in a fierce battle.

When Chu Tianshu heard this, his eyebrows twitched, and he looked at Jon.

It seems that Victor, despite being a civilian official, is still much better Jon, the military representative.

Indeed, back then, Victor was able to escape from Chu Tianshu's clutches using only his own cultivation level.

This technique of the Collective Karma Spirit Body Contract was originally developed by the Audit Bureau. With Victor obtaining this secret method, he will likely make even greater progress.

Jon's cheek twitched, then he turned his face away, remaining silent for a moment.

"Taking advantage of the chaos on the battlefield, I rescued her and we escaped together, but three days later, she was still burned to death by the poisonous fire within her body."

Fang Jun learned the whole story before she died.

The High God Longhua, whom Nie Longding worships, now has the most followers in South Asia.

After her father's death, his daughter perused the secret texts and obtained the complete inheritance, but being a woman, she was unwilling to go to a place like South Asia.

I feel that Americas is also a good place to cultivate the Longhua.

However, news of Chu Tianshu kept coming: the Tianshan Murder King, the Mystic Realm Butcher, and the Baosheng Temple Master in the Golden Triangle.

Each piece of news only deepened her despair.

Thus, she came into contact with the Flame Demon Clan, cultivated the Flame Demon Secret Techniques, and later obtained the Collective Karma Spirit Body Contract, greatly increasing her strength and gaining the favor of the Flame Demon Clan.

A powerful member of the Flame Devil Race persuaded her to completely transform into Flame Devil Race and brought her an ancient inheritance, the "Inner Blood Asura Divine Curse".

If Miss Nie could peel off her own skin during the process of completely transforming into Evil Spirit, and carve ninety-nine Asura Divine Curse inside that skin...

That way, her Fortune as a human being can be sealed within that physical body.

In the future, as Evil Spirit, donning that skin, perhaps she can still wield the Collective Karma Spirit Body Contract.

In this way, she will become an important representative of the Flame Devil Race in the human world.

Chu Tianshu pondered, "If she really had Nie Longding's temperament, perhaps she could indeed master it."

But she didn't practice.

Fang Jun said wearily, "I originally thought my persuasion had worked, but she won't admit it. She told me that when someone transforms into Evil Spirit, they will have a clear premonition."

"Once a spirit becomes Evil Spirit, devouring the life Fortune of the mortal world and consuming human souls will become its primary instinct. Any other desires or interests will have to take a backseat."

"She cultivated the Evil Spirit spirit technique to avenge her father. If she becomes Evil Spirit, her father's revenge will no longer be her top priority, and that would be a situation she cannot tolerate."

"Therefore, at the most crucial moment, at the base of the altar facing the High God Flame Demon, she inscribed the High God Longhua's incantation, triggering the ritual."

Jon exclaimed in shock, "Isn't that blaspheming two high-ranking Ghost God?!"

"So what if it's defiling?"

Chu Tianshu was somewhat appreciative, "That's a good idea, but I wonder if only seasoned believers in Ghost God could pull it off."

Fang Jun gazed at the dewdrops clinging to the branches, about to fall but not yet.

"In short, she told me a lot, left me her banner, but didn't tell me whether she regretted it or not."

"I could have gone back, but I felt I should do something."

"This town might be a key part of some plan by the Flame Demon Clan, but there's no concrete evidence. I thought I'd come here to investigate first, and if I find anything, I can report back."

Fang Jun smiled. "It's about contributing to humanity."

Chu Tianshu said, "And while you're at it, avenge your sister?"

"Yes."

Fang Jun readily admitted, "Anyway, Master White Horse said I would turn bad luck into good, and to my surprise, I ran into you here. The master was really right."

Fang Jun gave a thumbs up.

"Don't play dumb. You should know that White Horse can't predict my fate. Besides, White Horse's divination only covers one thing at a time. His prediction of turning misfortune into good fortune only refers to your going to the appointment. Your subsequent investigation is the second matter—"

As Chu Tianshu spoke, he noticed the haggard look in his old friend's eyes and smoothly changed the subject.

"But it's true, I'm incredibly lucky. Now that you've met me, you're bound to have good fortune."

Fang Jun laughed.

Even if we met again, you wouldn't recognize me, my face covered in dust, my temples white as frost.

He raised his hand and swept it across his face, the disguise disappearing and revealing his true face.

Even Su Dongpo's poems can't hide your discerning eye. I truly don't know how many times better you are than me now.

Chu Tianshu exclaimed in surprise, "Using poetry and culture to gather strength from the chaotic thoughts of the masses to perform magic—this is Minister Shen's ' Millennial Song '?"

"Yes."

After Fang Jun revealed his true form, he seemed more energetic and his mood improved considerably from his recent slump.

"After Nie Longding's death, I felt that my combat strength was too weak. I originally wanted to raise two evil spirits, but Minister Shen said that I was, after all, a public official, and I should pay attention to my influence. It was not good to raise evil spirits. He also saw that my mindset had changed after that incident, so he taught me the ' Millennial Song '."

Chu Tianshu laughed heartily, "Minister Shen is really overthinking it. Look at the Americas— "

Jon finally couldn't hold back any longer and protested in a low voice.

"Mr. Chu, our great America has its own unique circumstances! Let's get down to business, let's get down to business."

Fang Jun smiled and said, "Alright, let's get down to business."

"I have some resources to rely on in my investigation."

"Old Chu, come and take a look. Can this flag help you?"

As he spoke, he picked up the bamboo pole and pulled out a piece of brocade from the snakeskin bag, attaching it to the top of the pole.

The patterns on the brocade resembled dragons, trees, and flames, and even looked like golden snakes flying and coiling.

"These are her relics, based on the Gu Poison Banner Technique, and incorporating traces of incantations from both the Longhua and Flame Demon lineages."

Fang Jun said, "The Five Venoms Heaven-Slaying Golden Serpent Banner."