Chapter 27 Faith of All Spirits

That heartfelt cry was like a pebble thrown into a lake, shattering the stillness of the dockside market. Forgetting everything they'd been doing, they rushed towards Chu Hengkong. They were of different races and beliefs, but the fanaticism and reverence in their eyes were identical.

“It’s a god…” “The darling of the trend.” “The one who reshapes order!” “Great tentacles, great tentacles!”

The surging crowd blocked the way, and even Chu Hengkong, a man of great experience, was startled by the scene. He had to raise his voice, otherwise his words would be drowned out by the chorus of praise: "What can I do for you?"

The moment he opened his mouth, the swamp dwellers fell silent, as solemn as if listening to an oracle. Then they bent down, raised their arms high, and handed various objects to Chu Hengkong.

"Mushroom. Mushroom." "Here are bananas." "Here are the squid." "Fried bananas, please enjoy."

Chu Hengkong was both amused and confused. He finally understood what these people were up to. So they had come so hastily to offer sacrifices... The swamp people thought he was a god!

"You idiot! Have you forgotten what's happening in the Bize District?" Ji Huaisu frantically said, "Almost all the swamp people are followers of various religious sects. They worship demons as gods! In their eyes, your tentacles are like divine bodies!"

"There are so many demons, why do they trust me?" Chu Hengkong asked in a low voice while declining the fried bananas. The fanatical people pressed forward, and the encirclement gradually shrank.

"Please, Inspector, be self-aware. You're a big shot in town now. To recruit, the various religious sects in the swamp are claiming you and your tentacles are the incarnation of their octopus god, squid god, or some other god... So in their eyes, you're the Son of God incarnated!"

"Fuck!" Chu Hengkong cursed, "Do the locals have any solution?"

"If the locals had your popularity, they wouldn't have to hide in raincoats." Ji Huaisu said sourly, "Just use your tentacles to swing away. If you waste any more time, something bad will happen."

People who heard the news continued to flock to the scene. Many pushed their way into the crowd to stand before the "Son of God," knocking over other people's offerings. Young people called him the hand of the all-seeing god, herb vendors called him the light of the deep-sea sage. Everyone rushed to claim him as their "god," shouting and shoving ensued, and the situation threatened to spiral out of control. If this continued, there would be a fatal stampede, and even ten inspectors wouldn't be able to control the chaos.

Chu Hengkong raised his tentacles, intending to crack them to attract attention. Then, the crisp sound of bells swept through the crowd, like ripples across turbulent water. The restless water droplets suddenly quieted, gazing docilely like sheep toward the high slopes outside the market.

The sound came from a pair of small metal bells, suspended from a silver stone staff. The man holding the staff stood on a high slope, escorted by four sturdy men as he approached the market. The crowds of people consciously made way for him. The man, bald and dark-skinned, wore a white robe resembling a cassock. An amethyst pendant dangled from his neck.

“All believers should pay attention to their manners and not disturb the nobleman in the name of piety,” the man with the staff said coldly.

Upon hearing this, the people immediately withdrew their attacks. Chu Hengkong noticed that this man's attitude was unfriendly and his words were businesslike, yet the people of the swamp were remarkably obedient to his advice. Within seconds, a clearing had cleared around them, and Ji Huaisu quietly tugged at the corner of his clothes from behind.

"You are truly honored to have arrived, the detective and distinguished guest of the atrium." The man with the staff bowed slightly and picked up his necklace. "My name is Adali, and I am—"

"I know." Chu Hengkong opened his right hand and showed his pendant, "You are the great wizard of the All Spirits Society."

·

[Pendant-Type Basic Relic - Enhancement]

【Rating: Level 1】

[Origin: Senluo Secret Realm - Huilong City]

[Effect: Gripping the necklace tightly enhances your perception for 1-3 seconds. The extent and duration of the enhancement depend on the level of your emotions.]

[Missing: The crystal necklace made by Granny Sangjia is a symbol of status in the eyes of believers.

Alex is one of the three great wizards of the Spiritual Society. He has deciphered too many secrets from the vortex and summoned the gods to save the world.

·

On the night he discovered the Silver Eye Book's true purpose, Chu Hengkong had re-appraised all his trophies, and thus learned the pendant's significance. The Society of All Spirits is the largest religious group in Bize District, and the Grand Wizard is its most respected leader, with a reputation within the district akin to that of a "living Buddha" or "saint." On his first day, he not only offended the Black Workshop but also landed the Swampland religious leader in jail—a perfect start for a killer.

The great wizard Adali was obviously aware of this, and his attitude was not friendly: "If you two have no urgent business, please do not disturb the peace of the swamp."

"Please take us to see Grandma Sangjia. She has something to consult us about." Chu Hengkong remained calm.

Adari scoffed. "Please go home! We have nothing to say to the man who imprisoned Alex."

Chu Hengkong raised an eyebrow at the gloomy man and suddenly took a step forward. In one step, he directly stepped over the four strong guards and flashed in front of the great wizard. Adari met his eyes in a hurry, and the coldness was as piercing as black ice.

"You seem to have misunderstood something. I'm currently performing my duties as a senior inspector, and as a citizen of Huilong City, you have an obligation to provide me with all possible assistance." Chu Hengkong narrowed his eyes. "Think carefully about how you should speak. We have plenty of paper and pens here, so writing an extra wanted warrant won't be a problem."

Adari stared at him for a few seconds, expressionless. He looked at Ji Huaisu, who was wearing a raincoat, and asked, "Is the City Lord's Mansion going to let this person do whatever he wants?"

Ji Huaisu remained silent, his silence the best expression of his feelings. Adari realized the two men were serious, and the gloom in his eyes deepened. "...I will cooperate, but please be careful."

"The guest follows the host's wishes."

Chu Hengkong took a step back, the coldness in his eyes dissipating. Adari glared at the four useless guards, then turned and led the way.

Ji Huaisu moved closer to his partner, and even though he lowered his voice, he couldn't hide the excitement in his words: "Damn! That bullying face of yours is really amazing!"

"When I was in the underworld, my ears were callused and I could recite everything by heart." Chu Hengkong scratched his ears. "One of my jobs is to send them back home."

"Okay, that's how we should show them our stern face." Ji Huaisu laughed evilly, "But don't go overboard, and be careful."

Chu Hengkong nodded, understanding his partner's meaning. He had been on high alert since he disembarked, not only because the assassins' employers had come from the swamp, but also because of the danger lurking in the air.

For experienced people, a sense of danger is an intuition more acute than the five senses. When a gunman is aiming at you, you feel their gaze; when you're being stalked, hostility is as palpable as a scent. The dangers of the swamp, however, are unlike those of ordinary dangers. The intuitional warning is less intense, yet constant. It's like countless tiny needles hidden in the air, causing a subtle prick wherever you go.

Chu Hengkong frequently grasped the perception pendant, using his enhanced senses to explore every corner where the killer might be hiding. After leaving the market, the noisy voices finally died down, and they walked along the road into a small settlement. Low wooden houses lined the muddy road. The residential area was rarely seen with adult men and women, mostly elderly people and children. Strangely, most of the children hid inside, only peeking at people passing through the cracks between the wooden planks.

"The swamp shouldn't be so quiet." Ji Huaisu frowned.

Adari sneered at this: "Now is not the time to go out."

Adari didn't need to explain; the two perceptive men also sensed the tenseness in the air. This settlement wasn't far from the harbor market, but the atmosphere was worlds apart. Chu Hengkong listened intently, faintly catching the sounds of weeping and moaning.

They left the settlement in an eerie silence, ascending the slope. At the end of the road stood a stone church. The building looked even stranger, its windows sealed with black cloth, like a man-made prison cell. Adari paused at the church entrance, his smile tinged with sarcasm.

"Please come in, Chief Inspector. Sang Jia is inside. I still value my life, so I'm sorry I can't accompany you."

Chu Hengkong held his breath and pushed the door open. His vision was dazzled by the bright light. The sealed church was suddenly as bright as day. But there were no lights or candles in the church. The light came from people's eyes and skin!

The church's original tables and chairs were removed, and dozens of white sheets were spread out in a row, depicting emaciated figures groaning in agony. They wore black garments like shrouds, but even so, bright yellow spots of light could be clearly seen across their bodies. The spots lurked beneath the skin, spreading like incurable ringworm. Those with the most severe symptoms were practically consumed by the spots, their former features no longer visible, but rather humanoid forms of light.

A white-haired old woman sat cross-legged in the center of the group, grinding a brown medicinal soup in a small bowl. She looked up at Chu Hengkong, her eyes hazy, her voice as faint as smoke.

"Close the door quickly," said Granny Sangjia. "The light is poisonous."

(End of this chapter)