Chapter 697: Hypnosis
This emotion is off!
Normally, hearing that your leader is a mole for the evil faction should elicit shock, confusion, and disbelief, followed by considerations about whether political enemies are framing the leader!
Even if Assistant Emma harbored resentment towards her leader, Winnie Berent, schadenfreude should always be the second emotion, never the instinctive reaction. Otherwise, she wouldn't deserve to be in the position of Minister's Assistant.
Such an emotional response could only mean that Emma knew Winnie Berent wasn't an internal spy for the Heavenly Punishment, hence the lack of shock and confusion.
As for that dismissive emotion, Zhang Yuanqing interpreted it as Emma sneering at his words, possessing a sense of superiority as someone watching a good show from behind the scenes.
But before Zhang Yuanqing could sense it further, Emma had already suppressed all emotions.
"When did you join forces with Sean Mede?" Winnie regained her composure, narrowed her beautiful eyes, and coldly stared at Zhang Yuanqing.
Zhang Yuanqing didn't respond, but instead said to The World Returns to Fire and Red Rooster Bro, "You guys go out first."
The two Fire Masters didn't say a word, turning around and leaving.
Zhang Yuanqing took a deep look at Emma, "Assistant Emma, I have something to say to Minister Winnie."
Emma cast a questioning look at Winnie.
Winnie nodded with a sullen face.
After Emma left, Winnie Berent crossed her hands, elbows propped on the desk, with blue electric arcs flickering in her dark brown pupils:
"Are you here to negotiate on behalf of Sean Mede?"
Zhang Yuanqing felt that the air around him was highly charged with electricity, causing his body hair and scalp hair to stand on end.
Facing Winnie Berent, who was trying her best to suppress her anger, he unhurriedly took out a black wooden box and said, "Minister Winnie, I know you're very angry, but please don't be angry yet. What I'm about to say can only be known to the two of us."
With that, he snapped open the wooden box, releasing the Night Curtain within.
Immediately, everything in the office was shrouded in a dark veil, isolating sight, sound, and aura.
Winnie Berent maintained her hand-crossing posture. As the aura of Eternal Night filled the office, the electricity in her eyes became almost tangible, and an invisible pressure enveloped Zhang Yuanqing.
It feels like saying a single wrong word will get me killed on the spot. Minister Winnie has the worst possible impression of me... Zhang Yuanqing cleared his throat and said:
"Last night, our Night Wanderer comrade used Soul Devouring to find out that there is indeed a spy within the Heavenly Punishment, and it was the spy who leaked Carlyle's address to the Demonic Beast Haas.
"But unfortunately, the Demonic Beast Haas doesn't know who the spy is either, which is why I tested you. Now I've confirmed that the spy isn't you."
Winnie remained unmoved upon hearing Zhang Yuanqing's words, with the electricity in her eyes undiminished, and she coldly laughed, "What makes you so sure?"
Zhang Yuanqing took out an iron token from his pocket and waved it around, saying:
"This is a tool borrowed from Elder Fu, of the Scout profession, Sovereign quality, with the function of possessing powerful insight."
He quickly put away the token, not giving Winnie Berent a chance to observe it. In reality, it wasn't a Sovereign quality tool, but a Saint quality one. Its function wasn't insight, but lie detection.
He got it from Guan Ya for the purpose of placating Winnie Berent.
Winnie's expression softened slightly, "So your refusal to capture the Demonic Beast Haas yesterday was because you didn't trust me... There is indeed a spy within the Heavenly Punishment, but that's not something you should be concerned about. The interests involved are beyond what you can bear, Ju Mang. This is for your own good. What you need to do is execute orders, and don't act on your own initiative in the future."
She was very dissatisfied with Ju Mang's actions, but she also had a high level of tolerance for Ju Mang.
After issuing a reprimand, Winnie Berent's complexion and tone softened:
"But regardless, you successfully killed the Demonic Beast Haas, and made a great contribution. I will announce this news and apply for rewards for you. You shouldn't need the Heavenly Punishment's internal merits, so I will exchange them for Federal currency and tools."
The Demonic Beast Haas was an A-grade wanted criminal ranked fifth on the list. The official bounty was very generous.
"I have one more thing to report," Zhang Yuanqing said, "regarding the Biogenetic Alchemy Society's hit list."
He told Winnie the evil faction's hit list. The ranking on the hit list determined the evil faction's pattern of actions, making it a very important piece of intelligence.
Winnie's eyes lit up slightly, and the displeasure in her heart quickly dissipated, "Did you tell the list to anyone else?"
"No!" Zhang Yuanqing shook his head.
A smile appeared on her cold and beautiful face, "Very good. The list is a very important piece of intelligence. If we successfully ambush evil professionals based on the list later, I will record a contribution for you."
"There's one more thing!" Zhang Yuanqing said.
Another one? Winnie cast an expectant look.
"Regarding the spy, I may have some clues. I will take action around noon. I hope to get your permission, but you cannot reveal this matter to anyone," he said.
Winnie's gaze suddenly sharpened, and her tone became urgent, "Are you sure?"
Zhang Yuanqing nodded.
Winnie was silent for a few seconds, then slowly said, "I need to know your plan, otherwise I can't agree."
If the spy held a high position within the Heavenly Punishment, then the matter of capture would require careful consideration and even an application to headquarters. It wasn't something Ju Mang could act on just by saying so.
"Rest assured, I won't be reckless!" Zhang Yuanqing "snapped" the wooden box shut and left the office.
.......
Walking out of the Minister's office, he left the bank building directly, took a taxi, and arrived outside a high-end apartment. This apartment was located next to the world-renowned financial district.
Living in the apartment were financial elites, established tycoons, and senior white-collar workers engaged in the banking, insurance, trust, and exchange industries.
Zhang Yuanqing used illusion to confuse the guard, entered the apartment effortlessly, took the elevator, and arrived in front of the door of 1202 on the twelfth floor.
"Ding-dong!"
He rang the doorbell.
A few seconds later, the latch behind the door "clicked" open, and the security door opened a crack.
Zhang Yuanqing opened the door, entered the house, and closed the door behind him.
Behind the door was a house of more than 130 square meters, with two bedrooms and two living rooms. There weren't many rooms, so it seemed spacious and luxurious. The interior decoration was full of high-end quality, and it was clear that it was the work of a famous designer, not a perfunctory work by an inferior designer from a decoration company.
As soon as Zhang Yuanqing closed the door, he saw a figure in red rushing towards him, with bare, fair, and exquisite feet. She pounced into his arms with a tiger-like leap from two or three meters away.
Zhang Yuanqing quickly opened his arms, holding her rounded bottom beneath the red dress.
The Palace Mistress of Stopping Slaughter hooked her legs around his waist, wrapped her arms around his neck, lowered her head, her beautiful eyes beneath the mask filled with a smile, and she hummed:
"I've been in New York County for a week, and you're only thinking of me now? Tell me, have you been messing around with the vixen from the Beauty God Association?"
"There's been too much to do. I was afraid that after seeing you, I'd be running over here every day." Zhang Yuanqing carried the Palace Mistress's round bottom and walked towards the living room, throwing her on the soft sofa, and went straight to the point:
"I need you to hypnotize a Saint for me, to make her tell the truth."
He told the Palace Mistress of Stopping Slaughter his suspicion that Emma was a spy for the Liberty Alliance.
Hearing about something serious, the Palace Mistress stopped acting coy and pondered:
"Hypnotizing a Saint isn't difficult, but have you thought about why the Liberty Alliance's spies can lurk within various organizations for so many years without being discovered?
"There are no skills similar to 'Secrecy' among the professionals in the First District. Therefore, as long as the Heavenly Punishment borrows the Tiger Tally from the Five Elements Alliance, they can easily find the spies. But the Heavenly Punishment hasn't done that."
Zhang Yuanqing immediately frowned, "Maybe it's not that they haven't done it, but that they did it but it didn't work."
The Palace Mistress of Stopping Slaughter nodded, "Yes, so why is that?"
"The Liberty Alliance's spies also have the protection of Secrecy..." Zhang Yuanqing's expression turned serious.
Looking at it this way, Ling Tuo and the Liberty Alliance really have a shady relationship.
The Palace Mistress of Stopping Slaughter nodded, "If that's the case, you won't be able to get anything out of her with hypnosis unless you break the protection of Secrecy."
"How do I break it?"
"What can restrain Taiyin is only the Sun! The person you suspect is a Saint. A Saint's level shouldn't be enough for Ling Tuo to personally apply Secrecy. Therefore, the Sun God's power at the Sovereign stage should be enough to purify Taiyin's Secrecy."
Zhang Yuanqing said excitedly, "It's worth a try!"
Back then, Fu Qingyang applied for the Tiger Tally to conduct a general physical examination of the official professionals in Songhai. They did indeed find a few double agents from Dark Night Rose, but they were all small fry in the Extraordinary realm. There wasn't a single one at the Saint stage.
These small fry weren't enough for Ling Tuo to expend his power and grant protection.
Compared to the Liberty Alliance, Dark Night Rose is a "small organization", and Saints are very valuable, so they have the benefit of being personally protected by the Lord of Taiyin. But the spies that the Liberty Alliance has arranged in the Heavenly Punishment may not have this kind of benefit.
"I can ask Niangniang for help with the purification power at the Sovereign stage, but the materials consumed by the summoning ritual are too expensive, so there's no need to waste money. I'll find Zhao Chenghuang."
Elder Sun's level is lower than Elder Zhao's. To be on the safe side, it's more reliable to find Elder Zhao.
He immediately took out his phone and called Zhao Chenghuang, explaining his needs.
"Wait a moment!" Zhao Chenghuang hung up the phone.
Ten minutes later, he called back and replied, "Grandpa agrees. He happens to have a set of purification talismans. They can only be used once. If you need more later, you'll have to pay for them."
Consumables at the Sovereign stage are very expensive.
"One set is enough. I'll wait for you at the Heavenly Punishment. Remember to keep it a secret." Zhang Yuanqing looked at the Palace Mistress of Stopping Slaughter, "We still have a morning. What should we do?"
The Palace Mistress of Stopping Slaughter tilted her head and thought for a while, "I've almost seen all of Manhattan. It's too rushed to go on a trip. Um... spend some time with me and tell me about what's been happening recently."
"Okay!"
The two stayed in the apartment until noon. Zhang Yuanqing told her about his experiences in New York County, analyzing the conflicts between the Lawful and Evil factions, as well as the relationships between the various forces.
Soon it was noon, and the Palace Mistress of Stopping Slaughter stood up gracefully, "I'm going to change clothes!"
She walked into the bedroom.
About fifteen minutes later, a young and beautiful girl walked out of the room, wearing black shorts, a white shirt, and a mid-length brown trench coat.
Simple and exquisite.
She looked to be in her early twenties, with a pointed and bright oval face, eyes that were big and round, like containing spring water, flawless skin, and thin and moist red lips.
Zhang Yuanqing stared straight at her, looked for more than ten seconds, and smiled:
"Is this your real appearance?"
The bright girl with the oval face nodded vigorously, "Pretty, right!"
"Any Aphrodisiac professional can beat you up, no wonder you wear a mask," Zhang Yuanqing mocked.
The Palace Mistress of Stopping Slaughter hummed and puffed out her cheeks.
The two left the apartment, took a taxi, and entered the bank building together.
Zhang Yuanqing led the Palace Mistress of Stopping Slaughter straight to Winnie's office.
"Minister Winnie, this is my friend. I'll explain her identity later. I need to wait for someone." Zhang Yuanqing then introduced Winnie to the Palace Mistress.
The Palace Mistress coldly "hmmed" and seemed to dislike Winnie.
Winnie nodded politely to her and said faintly, "Sit over there!"
She lowered her head, held a pen, and continued her work.
A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Chenghuang came alone, holding a stack of talismans, as well as a yellowed drawing. The drawing was of a Spirit Inscription Circle.
"What is this?" Zhang Yuanqing asked knowingly.
Zhao Chenghuang glanced at him, "A Night Wanderer's Spirit Inscription Formation. This formation is a purification formation, the core of which is the talisman. The Spirit Inscription Formation is auxiliary. I can also engrave it. When do you need it?"
"Wait a moment!" Zhang Yuanqing looked at Winnie behind the desk and smiled, "Minister Winnie, where's Assistant Emma?"
Hearing this, Winnie's eyes slowly narrowed.
After a moment, she averted her gaze and didn't speak. Instead, she picked up the phone on her desk, "Emma, come here for a moment."
In less than a minute, Emma from the next door entered the office. She glanced at the three people in the room, paused briefly on the Palace Mistress of Stopping Slaughter, and then bowed to Winnie,
"Minister, what are your instructions!"
Winnie didn't speak but looked at Zhang Yuanqing.
Zhang Yuanqing, in turn, looked at the Palace Mistress of Stopping Slaughter and nodded slightly.
The Palace Mistress of Stopping Slaughter immediately stood up, walked in front of Emma, raised her hand, brought it close to her eyes, and before Emma could react, she "snapped" her fingers.
Emma's gaze suddenly scattered, becoming dazed and unmoving.
"You can engrave the spirit array now," Zhang Yuanqing said.
Zhao Chenghuang nodded, took out cinnabar, scorching sun stone powder, chicken blood, and other materials, skillfully prepared "ink", and began to engrave the Spirit Inscription.
The Spirit Inscription Circle was very simple, just an igniter to guide the talismans to burn on their own. For Star Officials who were proficient in Spirit Inscriptions, there was no difficulty at all.
Zhao Chenghuang quickly finished drawing the array and, according to the diagram, placed the talismans one by one, leaving the last one in his hand, saying,
"Alright, should I activate it now?"
He raised the talisman in his hand.
The Palace Mistress of Stopping Slaughter stared at Emma's scattered pupils, her voice soft, "Walk over there!"
Emma's gaze was dazed. Hearing this, she turned stiffly and walked to the center of the Spirit Inscription Array.
Zhang Yuanqing then said, "You can activate it now."
Zhao Chenghuang then placed the last talisman into the array. The next second, the talisman burned, turning into a dazzling golden light that enveloped Emma in the array.
The most yang and purest power of the Sun filled the office area, bringing a summer-like heat.
Emma suddenly woke up. The Day of Purification extinguished all power, including mental control skills. The Palace Mistress of Stopping Slaughter's hypnosis was purified.
Emma's hair quickly burned, and her elaborate suit was burned to shreds, revealing her sexy underwear and snow-white skin.
Soon, even the underwear dissolved in the golden light.
"Minister, this, you, what do you want..." Emma hugged her chest in shock and anger. She didn't understand what was happening.
"Snap!"
The Palace Mistress of Stopping Slaughter snapped her fingers again, hypnotizing Emma.
It should be okay now. If the purification is ineffective, will Winnie twist my head off...? Zhang Yuanqing muttered to himself and walked to Emma's side, saying in a deep voice,
"Was it you who leaked Abner Carlyle's address to the Demonic Beast Haas?"
Emma responded with a dazed face, "It was me!"
Winnie Berent stood up abruptly, her face covered with frost.
She strode away from the desk, walked to Emma's side, and said sternly, "Why!"
Emma stared blankly ahead, answering every question, "It was the organization's order."
"Which organization!" Zhang Yuanqing asked.
"The Liberty Alliance..." Emma replied.
Winnie Berent gnashed her teeth, "When did you join the Liberty Alliance?"
Emma was promoted by her. When she was in the Saint realm, she was her team member.
"Six years ago..." Emma said with a dazed face,
"I met a man named Vic Fowler. He was gentle and mature, and we quickly fell in love and became a couple. One day, he said he wanted to take me to a party. The location of the party... I forgot, I only remember that everyone there was wearing a mask and spoke politely. Vic Fowler solemnly introduced me to everyone at the party.
"Everyone applauded for me, so warmly, so friendly, and then they asked me to lie on a bed made of gold, saying it was a treasure, and lying on it could listen to the revelations of the gods..."
Winnie Berent had already calmed down, accepted the betrayal of her confidant, and said coldly, "You received the revelations of the gods?"
"Yes!"
"What was the content of the revelation?"
.......
ps: Correcting typos after publishing.