Three days later, the cardinal's body was hung on the most conspicuous pole in the Holy City, accused of betrayal. The cardinal did not understand why he was charged with such a crime until the moment he died, and the odds of obtaining it were as far away and unbelievable as the highest honor he had always longed for.

However, at the last moment of his life, he made a difference for the first time, and he was worthy of this life. For the first time in the 49 days of his soul's existence, surrounded by corpses that were high above the will of the Pope, he felt that he was so great and extraordinary, that there was no nobler and purer person in the world. At this moment, he no longer felt sad that his corpse was rotting and breeding maggots, and he saw God beckoning to him. This is undoubtedly another unbelievable thing for him, he believed in the devil all his life, but in the end he was redeemed by God, and the sense of belonging in his heart was gone.

The cardinal's soul entrusted his hand to God, and as he looked back at the world for the last time, he asked himself a word.

"What have I done in my life?"

No one could answer his stupid question that would blossom and bear fruit again, and the moment the gates of heaven were closed, a fire burned in front of his eyes.

The general returned to Zhonghai City as he wished, took over all the affairs of the Heavenly Punishment Sect, and became the new cardinal, while the mother-in-law took care of the general's daily life as usual. For so many days, my mother-in-law had something I couldn't figure out, and she asked when she was bringing tea to the general that day.

"General, since you are planning to kill the cardinal, why bother the Pope?"

The general straightened out the folds in his red robe and said.

"The last thing I like is the aftermath and the blood on my hands. So of course I'm going to have to use someone else's hand to help me out of the trouble, you know? ”

"But aren't all those deaths related to you? Their souls will still haunt you in the end, especially in the dead of night. ”

The general smiled faintly and said.

"That's why I joined the Secret Crossing. There's always a way for them to get rid of those nuisance souls, even if a few slip through the cracks. I'm not afraid of their resentful eyes before they die, so how can I care about what they look like after they die. ”

The mother-in-law nodded and said.

"Is this why you joined the Secret Crossing?"

"Sort of. But it's not all, those who know the times can always live more freely, most of the leaders of mercenary organizations in Europe are already pawns of the Secret Crossing, and I must have some capital to control them. Whether it's the Secret Crossing Society, or the mercenary organizations around the world, their mouths must be blocked by my strength. ”

"Have you ever thought about what else you have planned after you have all this?"

The general thought for a moment and said.

"When it's all settled, I want to go back to the desert. That's my home, and my family is buried there. ”

"Your family may be scared to see you now."

The general put aside the wine glass encrusted with white gold and precious stones, and said with a smile.

"Mother-in-law, you have a lot of words today."

Hearing this, the mother-in-law let out a strange laugh.

"Yes..."

"Take the tea away, I don't want to drink it now."

The mother-in-law stepped forward to take the teacup, and the general asked.

"How's the preparation for tomorrow's succession ceremony?"

"It's all ready to do what you want."

"Did you send the invitation?"

"Of course."

"Good work."

The mother-in-law walked slowly out of the general's room with a teacup, and the moment the door closed, she was immersed in loneliness again. At this time, the dent on the seat under her ass was another new mark she left on the world, and when she thought of this, she actually walked out of loneliness, even if the road was uninhabited, but it was still full of birds and flowers. Come to think of it, it doesn't seem so pathetic either.

Fang Fan and Zhang Ze hadn't been to the Spring Bar for a long time, on the one hand, because Zhang Ze had a fight with Mishima last time, and on the other hand, because the two were discussing how to deal with Wu Binlong's request.

"Old Fang, Wu Ju's request is a bit whimsical, right? Let's get the key back, it's not that easy. ”

Wu Ju was also in a hurry. Compared to this, I am more concerned about what to do with the citizens who have been brainwashed by the Heavenly Punishment Sect. ”

"What else can I do? Evacuate first, then control it. ”

"This is a palliative rather than a cure. Do you know sleepwalking? ”

"Yes. What's wrong? ”

"The old man always said not to wake people who are sleepwalking easily, otherwise they will be scared away."

After listening to this, Zhang Ze asked with a blank face.

“SO？ What are you trying to express? ”

"Are you really stupid? I mean, the bewitched citizens of Zhonghai City are like sleepwalkers, and if we wake them up forcefully, it will only hurt them. ”

Zhang Ze said helplessly.

"Do you have any gentle names?"

Fang Fan got up and stretched, and said.

"In fact, the reason why the Heavenly Punishment Sect can easily demagogue people is because they take advantage of the inertia in human nature and use their souls to trade with demons, so as to help them solve the problems in reality that they have to escape."

"Wouldn't that be nice?"

"Okay? Solving problems in this way is expensive compared to relying on initiative. However, the only benefit is convenience, and people don't feel anything when they pay the price, as long as they let the people of the Heavenly Punishment Sect take a little soul. ”

"The vast majority of people are now willing to pay a lot of money for convenience."

"So this is the loophole that the Heavenly Punishment Cult has captured. Whenever people are faced with a difficult problem in reality, they will always choose to escape. Although he escaped, he still longed for the ability to solve the problem perfectly. That's why people want to have a superpower that corresponds to real-world problems. ”

"You've said so much, but you still haven't said what you can do."

"Don't worry. The demagogy of the Secret Cross Society and the Heavenly Punishment Sect is like writing a program for a computer, and this program just follows the inner desires of those people, as the saying goes. And what we have to do is to write another program for them, and clean up the program written by the Heavenly Punishment Sect before, that is, reverse hair. ”

"Reverse hair? That's going to be fried for anyone. ”

Fang Fan shrugged and said.

"Anything that can make a person free is painful. Do you think it's easy to get people who are fragile and escapist in life? ”

"Okay, you're right. But where are we going to find people who can write programs for those fragile uncles? ”

"I think there's only one right person."

Zhang Ze's eyes lit up.

"Oh..."

"You thought of him too?"

At this time, in the Deep Sea Security Bureau, Lin Yu has been studying the various mantras of the Shingon Monk behind closed doors, and has made great progress. There was a knock on the door outside.

"Lin Yu, it's me."

Lin Yu opened the door and saw the bone girl standing outside the door with coffee, Lin Yu smiled and said.

"Leave this kind of thing to Mingya."

The Bone Girl walked into the room and put the coffee on the table, saying.

"The only reason to meet you at this time, I don't want to miss it easily."

Lin Yu scratched his head and said with an embarrassed smile.

"I'm sorry to have snubbed you too much during this time."

The Bone Girl sighed and said.

"Hey, I'm used to it. If you don't come up with a name, I'm sorry. ”

"Yes, yes, I will work hard for you."

"But then again. Laughing, Nagi Ling and Xuzi Ming are both dead, is it still necessary for you to do this? ”

"Although they are dead, it doesn't mean that there will not be a mantra monk or a madman in the future. In order not to suffer any more losses in the future, I have to be prepared for danger in times of peace. ”

The bone girl hugged Lin Yu's neck and said.

"I didn't expect my boyfriend to be a man with such great ambitions, I'm so happy."

Just as the two were about to kiss, Zhang Ze's phone call interrupted everything like the buzzing of flies.

"Hey."

"Lin Yu?"

"Who are you calling, you don't know?"

"Hey, hey..."

"What's the matter?"

"Do you think it's convenient for you to come to Zhonghai City? If it's inconvenient, Fang Fan and I can go to the bottom of the sea to find you. ”

Lin Yu pondered for a moment, and then asked the bone girl in a low voice.

"Do you want to go shopping in Zhonghai City?"

As soon as she heard about shopping, the bone girl suddenly became interested and nodded vigorously. Lin Yu said.

"Okay, I'll go to Zhonghai City to find you."

"Gotcha."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Yu and Su Nan took a few days off, Jinqiu was not there, and Su Nan was the supreme commander here. Guo Huairen is now on the back line, and his favorite thing to do every day is to float up to a depth of dozens of meters to dive, which is comfortable and leisurely.

Lin Yu and the bone girl stepped into Fang Fan's house on time at lunchtime. As soon as Lin Yu entered the door, he looked at Fang Fan with an apron and a frying spoon, and felt very uncomfortable, he looked at it for a long time and said.

"I think a cloak is better for you."

"Sit down and try my craft in a moment."

After a while, the food was served on the table, Zhang Ze ran forward and backward like a waiter, Yuehan and Wanli helped the bone girl to eliminate her inhibitions, and made an appointment to go to all the shopping malls in Zhonghai City after dinner. I have to say that the bone girl has become more and more like to be close to life since she was with Lin Yu, not so much that the bone girl has changed Lin Yu's cowardly character, but that they influence each other and change each other.

After the meal, Zhang Ze cleaned up the table neatly, and Yuehan and the others went shopping. Lin Yu asked at this time.

"What are you looking for me for?"

Fang Fan lit a cigarette and said.

"The cardinal of the Heavenly Punishment Sect is dead, and now the Heavenly Punishment Sect has been taken over by the general."

"So what?"

"Actually, we have been looking for a way to deal with and change the status quo of the Heavenly Punishment Sect, and we must first rescue those ordinary people, so we want you to use the ability of the Shingon Monk to awaken them, and it can also be said to help them recover their souls that have been traded."

Lin Yu dragged his chin and said.

"There are mantras in the mantras of the Shingon Monk that can help people recover their souls, but if you want to help people recover some of their souls, it seems that there are no mantras, so I have to try to find out."

Zhang Ze slapped the table and said.

"If it's a coincidence, the opportunity is right in front of you."

Fang Fan and Lin Yu were taken aback by Zhang Ze's reaction, Fang Fan looked at him with disgust and said.

"What are you doing?"

"It's okay, I'm just a little excited."

After that, Zhang Ze took out two invitations and put them on the table.

"Succession ceremony?"

Lin Yu asked suspiciously, and Fang Fan said.

"That's right, this is the succession ceremony for the general to take over the Heavenly Punishment Sect, and she must have held such a high-profile succession ceremony to let the whole world know that Zhonghai City has become a puppet place for the Secret Crossing Society, and at the same time to promote her strength to the world."

"So what's your plan?"

Zhang Ze said first.

"Let's go to the succession ceremony together, and then catch a cultist back at the ceremony, so you can use this cultist for experiments, right?"

"That's right, let's go to the venue tomorrow to see the situation before deciding."

"No problem."

At this time, Fang Fan asked.

"What have you been busy with lately?"

Lin Yu sighed and said.

"Xuzi Ming is dead, and no one is competing with him for the position of the Sanyun Gang. So the director took over the Sanyun Gang, and he has been busy dealing with the Sanyun Gang during this time, and he wants to completely change the Sanyun Gang. ”

"Then Lei Zhen and Tang Mang have been under house arrest in the Security Bureau?"

"Not really. The director took them back to the Sanyun Gang, and I heard that the director still planned to hand over the daily affairs of the Sanyun Gang to the two of them, but Jinqiu had absolute supervision over them. ”

"Hmm... In this way, they will not be able to use any bad ideas. ”

"Bad idea? Their crooked ideas all came to naught after the death of Xuo Ziming, Hua Yi and they have become the eyes of the director, as long as the director is not there, Hua Yi will have absolute disposition. As long as Lei Zhen and them have a little crooked mind, they can implement the gang rules with one flower. ”

Zhang Ze said with a laugh.

"Hahaha, this thunder shocked their tragedy. I suddenly changed from a boss who called for wind and rain to a normal commute to work, and I really wanted to see the expressions of the two of them. ”

Fang Fan touched his stubble and said.

"Well, the stability of the Sanyun Gang is also a good thing for us, if the Sanyun Gang fell into the hands of Xuziming at that time, then the situation we have to face now will be even more tricky."

The three of them had been sitting in the living room chatting, when Lin Yu asked.

"Why are we talking at home? Let's go to the bar and have a chat. ”

Zhang Ze said.

"Forget it, now they see Lao Fang like they see an enemy."

"Huh? What happened? ”

Fang Fan waved his hand and said.

"It's not as exaggerated as he said, it's just some misunderstanding. When the matter of the Heavenly Punishment Sect is resolved, it will be fine. ”

Zhang Ze suddenly interjected.

"Ever heard of unloading and killing donkeys?"

Lin Yu nodded, and Zhang Ze continued.

"Well, that's how it is."

As soon as the words fell, Fang Fan slapped him on the back.

"It's a fart, go to sleep. I'm going to have to wake up early tomorrow. ”

Zhang Ze looked at the time and said.

"Big brother, it's not even six o'clock in the evening, you just let me sleep."

"Then you just keep your mouth shut."

As soon as the words fell, Yuehan and the others came back with big bags and small bags, in addition to clothes and bags, there were also ingredients for dinner, Zhang Ze asked with bright eyes.

"What's the best food to eat at night?"

Wanli rolled up her sleeves and said.

"Tonight, our three sisters will sit at a table for you to feast."

Whenever a girl makes a bold statement, it will run counter to her statement, but the most important thing for the three men is that there can be no questioning. When the meal was served, the three big men looked at the food on the table and saw that the food on the table was not as bad as they imagined, and the stone hanging in their hearts was finally put down.

At dawn the next day, Fang Fan and the others took the invitation card to the cathedral where the succession ceremony was held. According to the plan, Fang Fan and Zhang Ze entered the venue, while Lin Yu wandered around. After entering the venue, Zhang Ze saw the already overcrowded church and said.

"Damn, there are too many people, right? Isn't it possible that all the congregants are coming? ”

"How is it possible, it should be divided according to the region, and the disciples who are close will come."

As soon as the words fell, the general walked up to the stage and saw Fang Fan and Zhang Ze sitting in the audience, the corners of the general's mouth rose slightly, and he said to the disciples in the audience.

"Dear dear believers, you are the most precious gift from heaven to me. The Pope is with you, and I am with you. From today I will officially take over the position of former cardinal, and as for the reasons, I will not go into detail here, but in the days to come, we must follow the Pope's philosophy to carry forward the Secret Crossing Society and the Heavenly Punishment Church. ”

As soon as the words ended, the believers in the audience shouted slogans that they didn't understand. After a while, those sect members dispersed one after another, and Fang Fan and Zhang Ze also walked out with the flow of people.

"Old Fang, let's just leave?"

"I guess someone will stop us in five seconds."

A moment later, the general's voice came from the stage.

"Two friends, why don't you come in and sit down?"

The corners of Fang Fan's mouth rose and he stopped, and when he turned around, he saw that the general was looking at him intently.

"Old Fang, what should I do?"

Before Fang Fan could speak, his mother-in-law walked up to them and said.

"Come with me, two."

Fang Fan nodded politely and followed his mother-in-law inside. Zhang Ze followed behind them, although he had a stomach full of things to say, he knew that now was not the time. The two followed their mother-in-law into the hall, and as soon as they entered the door, they saw the general wearing a red robe sitting under the portrait of the pope, and the person standing next to her really surprised Fang Fan and Zhang Ze.

"Red beans?"

Zhang Ze shouted the name of the red bean in surprise, but it seemed that the red bean did not hear it. Zhang Ze suddenly felt strange, the voice just now was gone, and everyone in the hall must have heard it. Fang Fan had been observing Hongdou's expression since Zhang Ze called her out, Hongdou's expression was like a puddle of stagnant water, even when his eyes looked at Fang Fan and Zhang Ze, there was no wave. The general looked at the red bean with satisfaction, she was very satisfied with the red bean's reaction, and said lightly.

"You must all know each other. You used to be friends, but now she's the leader of my personal guard. ”

Fang Fan pondered for a moment and asked.

"General, what is the purpose of calling us in, you might as well say it directly."

The mother-in-law brought two bowls of tea and put them on the table, and the general raised his hand and gestured and said.

"Mother-in-law's tea is the most delicious in the world, try it."

Zhang Ze's temper came up again and said.

"We're not here to do this useless work, if you have something to say, you can let it go."

As soon as the words fell, the red bean suddenly disappeared, and the next second appeared in front of Zhang Ze with a dagger in his backhand, and the blade with a cold light was against his throat. Zhang Ze did not panic, but said very calmly.

"Red Bean, you don't know me anymore?"

The general stood up and said with a smile.

"She can only hear me now. In other words, you are nothing but transparent to her. ”

Zhang Ze did not resist, the general said.

"That's enough, come back."

With that, Red Bean flashed back to the general, expressionless like a robot. The general continued.

"There's an old saying here, "Bow before you soldier. The purpose of inviting you two here today is to persuade you not to meddle in the affairs of the Heavenly Punishment Sect again, otherwise I don't mind using force to dispel your stupid thoughts, after all, the human life in my hands can be consumed for a while. In addition, if the two of you are interested in joining the Heavenly Punishment Sect, I will definitely raise my hands in agreement. ”

Hearing this, Fang Fan said calmly.

"General, thank you for your courtesy, but I have always taken the safety of Zhonghai City as my responsibility. Anyone who takes the lives of the people of Zhonghai City as a child's play is my enemy. As for the force you mentioned, I don't mind trying to resist it. Even if there are deaths in this war, then I am the first. ”

The general slapped his face and said with a smile.

"What an impassioned and generous speech, if those people hear it, they will definitely be moved, and maybe you will even arouse your enthusiasm to oppose the Heavenly Punishment Sect. Oh yes, I forgot, they're all a bunch of soulless fools right now, and they don't react even if they hear it. ”

With that, the general stared at Fang Fan and laughed, his eyes full of provocation. At this time, Fang Fan received a message from Lin Yu that he had successfully caught a bewitched citizen and was taking him to the Spring Bar. Fang Fan put away his phone, looked at the general and smiled, and said.

"Since you say so, we'll see. The people will not be deceived by you all the time. ”

The general sighed, as if laughing at Fang Fan's stupidity, and then said.

"Mother-in-law, send off."

After Fang Fan and Zhang Ze came out of the church, they went straight to the Spring Bar. As soon as he entered the bar, he saw Lin Yu sitting opposite the sect, the two seemed to be fighting between their thoughts and beliefs, Fang Fan walked over and asked.

"How's it going?"

Lin Yu didn't speak, it can be seen that he can't be distracted now, just like those worldly masters who practice peerless martial arts, they can't be disturbed by the outside world when they are in retreat, otherwise they will go crazy. After a long time, Lin Yu wiped the sweat oozing from his forehead and said.

"His soul is running out, and I just tried to retrieve the remaining soul fragments, but to no avail."

"Can't their souls be restored?"

"If you want to recover a lost soul, you need to know where the soul goes. And the Heavenly Punishment Sect has been using these people's souls to trade with demons, so we have to find out where the demons who traded with the Heavenly Punishment Sect are, otherwise even if we reluctantly fill in the lost souls, it will be a symptom but not a cure. ”

Fang Fan touched the stubble on his chin and said.

"A demon who made a deal with the Heavenly Punishment Sect? It's a bit hard to find, isn't it? ”

Lin Yu pondered for a moment and said.

"Actually, it's simple, but there will be certain dangers."

"Tell me about it."

Lin Yu looked at Fang Fan and Zhang Ze's firm eyes, knowing that they would not turn back if they didn't knock down the south wall, but if they made a slight mistake, their lives would be lost. After some ideological struggle, Lin Yu said word by word.

"Soul sacrifice."