I Have a Dice Left by a God

Chapter 686 - 278: Farewell, Dragon Mother

"Withered Wood Monastery..." Li Xin had an impression of the Withered Wood Monastery, a neutral Holy Land. Its abbot was Miss Aries’ mentor, a major figure in the secret world. "How could a nun from the Withered Wood Monastery become a singer of the Song of Hell?"Li Xin knew Kathy had certainly done a lot of investigation. Now that her status was different, she surely knew more intelligence.

"Ever since leaving the Celestial Capital, I’ve been investigating Eliza. The Withered Wood Monastery venerates Saint Mary, preaching salvation through compassion. For centuries, their worldly disciples have been preventing wars and have made great sacrifices for it. But with Eliza, a significant change occurred. She became a weapon for the Song of Hell, easily handling tasks that many angels couldn’t accomplish."

"Why would the disciples of Withered Wood Monastery take the path of a seductive woman?"

"I suspect Eliza didn’t begin on this path initially, but started later. Her talent was extraordinary, and coupled with her mysterious knowledge, she advanced rapidly," Kathy said. "Once we find Eliza’s whereabouts, it’ll be a rare opportunity. I’ll leverage the power of the Church Court to eliminate her in one strike."

Seeing Kathy’s advanced speed, it’s certainly possible for the disciples of the Withered Wood Monastery to achieve the same.

"Sister Kathy, I need the core list of the Dragon Fortune Association. Arranging a nun for Hong Yan so cleverly must be the work of a core member, especially since Hong Yan isn’t interested in women, which shows his sensitivity. The introducer must be someone he trusts, and such people aren’t many."

"Ji Sheng, Ao Yun, Nalan Mingde," Kathy said. "Ji Sheng, the chief steward of the Royal Family—a royal elder. Ao Yun, the Young Master of the Ao Family from Beijing, also an esteemed guest of the Hundred Martial Hall. Nalan Mingde, the niece of Nalan Jingguo."

"So the Ao Family is part of the Hundred Martial Hall too?"

"Not exactly. The Hundred Martial Hall was originally a civilian organization, but as it grew, it naturally developed countless ties with various major families from Beijing. However, no family would directly join the Hundred Martial Hall, at most holding a guest status. The Hundred Martial Hall’s enduring growth represents the interests of all parties; otherwise, it wouldn’t be so smooth."

"Ji Sheng is a eunuch?" Li Xin suddenly asked.

Even Kathy, with her serious demeanor, couldn’t help but laugh at Li Xin’s comment. "Yes."

Wonder if this chief steward knows the Sunflower Manual.

"Don’t underestimate him. This chief steward is very influential in the Dragon Capital. He often represents the Royal Family’s stance externally. Since the current state system, the Royal Family rarely makes statements, so Ji Sheng often speaks out. He’s also helped many Beijing locals, which grants him great authority."

"The most suspicious one left is Nalan Mingde. How did this woman get in?"

"Joining the Dragon Fortune Association requires recommendations from three members and approval from all three. A single dissent means rejection. But that Eliza wasn’t a formal member; she participated as an informal member, similar to the two deceased Divine Revelation Canon Law School students."

"There must be standards for informal members, right?"

"No member recommendation is needed, but the participant list for each event requires approval from these three. For informal members, as long as no one objects, they can participate. The list is handled by a designated person, but that person is dead, their entire family wiped out, linked to Nalan Mingde’s people."

"It seems a bit too obvious," Li Xin said.

Kathy nodded, "Indeed, all evidence now points to Nalan Mingde. I suspect the Cabinet is troubled by this—they’ll need to target Nalan Mingde to break the deadlock, but the liberal faction will surely protect Nalan Mingde."

"Sister Kathy, do you know of the Dragon Mother, the singer of the Song of Hell? Does she have any ties with the Ao Family?"

"Ao Family is one of the ancient lineages of Beijing, having once been kings, possessing an Ancient Dragon bloodline, but it’s unstable. From the intelligence I know, Dragon Mother Ao Yu doesn’t have any connection with the Ao Family."

"What do you think will happen if I contact Ji Sheng or Ao Yun?"

"If you go as a Night Patrol, either you won’t see them, or you’ll be driven out, and the Church Court will punish you."

"Haha, then I won’t go as a Night Patrol."

Since Eliza has appeared in the Dragon Capital, this is a rare chance. Missing it might mean no more opportunities. One must settle scores, whether dealing with seductive women or nuns.

"Be cautious, don’t force it."

"Sister Kathy, I do have some connections."

"Really, I thought all your connections were just me."

"Sister Kathy isn’t just a connection."

"You sweet-talking brat. I heard you’ve been close with Patir. Have you taken a fancy to the eldest daughter of the Maxim family?" Kathy swiftly changed the topic to more serious matters.

"Who is spreading such rumors? Patir and I barely know each other as acquaintances. Was it Lu Shuai?"

"You need to be more mindful. Quickly find someone to reassure Lin Fei. If it doesn’t work out, have a child first to put her at ease," Kathy joked.

Li Xin was speechless. He was doing just fine with his main account, so why start a minor one?

"Are you planning to have the elders of the Gourmet Association cook at your home?"

"Not as a cook, they’re lodging, they should contribute a little."

"You know what I’m asking."

"Sister Kathy, I’m already exploring my own path." said Li Xin.

Looking at the misty sky outside, Kathy was a bit worried, "You want to try something new? The Celestial Principle School? They’re struggling themselves, all new paths are much harder than the old ones, and the failure rate is higher. There’s no predecessor to refer to, and occasional success might be plundered."

"Crossing the river by feeling the stones."

Upon the vast sea.

Simmons woke up to the rocking motion, his consciousness felt bound by a muddy swamp, awakening in every sense was tough, hearing was the first to come back, seawater...he was still in the sea...Following that was the excruciating pain, the tearing agony on his back almost broke his recently revived awareness, but years of Knight training forcibly overcame this pain that was nearly splitting him in two.

He struggled to open his eyes, the sky was azure blue, the scorching sun pierced through the clouds, instantly his mouth felt dry. He, himself, was lying on the broad back of a dolphin.

More than one, a group.

He wasn’t dead, which means he was still alive...That terrifying headless Knight...seems like the singer of the Song of Hell...

Why would the Song of Hell want to hunt him? It didn’t make sense, they wouldn’t act without profit, did someone hire them to get him?

How are the brothers? Where was he now?

It seemed, it seemed that when he felt the headless Knight approaching, he was pulled into a whirlpool, after which he completely lost consciousness.

These dolphins were surrounding Simmons, keeping a neat formation, the one carrying him was the largest, but it wasn’t always carrying him, occasionally other dolphins came over to assist, though sometimes it wasn’t assistance, maybe just playful, but no matter what, Simmons knew he had been saved by these adorable little fellows...

Hiss!

The agonizing pain struck from behind, almost knocking Simmons’ barely conscious mind out again, the surroundings were an unfamiliar sea [...]. Actually, everywhere was quite unfamiliar to him, but this was definitely not the earlier one, the seawater here had a jade-green color, very beautiful, and carried a sense of tranquility.

He still had Holy Water and healing medicine in his arms...Simmons reached towards it, however, as soon as he moved his elbow a mere half-inch, overwhelming pain hit him!

Hiss...This time, Simmons couldn’t withstand, the body’s instincts overpowered his will, the body instinctively believed that unconsciousness was the greatest protection for his survival.

Upon waking again, Simmons noticeably felt some recovery in his body. A bunch of memories flooded in,

During moments of delirium, he’d feel something being stuffed into his mouth, slippery and fishy, instinct compelled him to open his mouth, he mechanically chewed and swallowed, unable to taste, just body instincts acquiring the nutrients necessary for survival, presumably fish meat.

The dolphins’ rhythm changed, no longer steady, but rapidly accelerating.

Simmons, in a daze, battled the pain and barely opened a squint of an eye.

The seawater was rapidly retreating beside him, foam splashed about. His current position was half reclined while being partly carried and pushed by the largest dolphin on the sea’s surface, a slight turn of his head would reveal the forms of other dolphins, they were no longer in neat formation but spread around, occasionally letting out cheerful, crisp calls.

Simmons laid flat, just like that, he truly wasn’t suited for struggling, barely arriving at Five Claw Island nearly cost him half his life.

The sunlight was dazzling, blurring Simmons, suddenly it seemed something shielded the intense light.

"Isn’t this my Master Simmons, why do you look so haggard?"

A voice both familiar and strange sounded in his ear, Simmons squinted, amidst the haze seeming to see a woman, a woman he dreamed of day and night.

Simmons smiled, "Am I dying? It’s nice, at least before dying, I can dream of you."

Simmons felt his body being lifted, the feeling was so familiar, just like the first time.

"Dear Master Simmons, you won’t die."

The Dragon Mother embraced Simmons, walking through the waves, as dolphins continued to leap behind, letting out childlike chirps, heading towards a beautiful little island.