Lord of Mysteries 2: Circle of Inevitability

While Anthony took Ludwig to queue at a nearby shop selling guokui—a type of Chinese flatbread—Lumian entered Star Dream Provisions Store and approached the cashier, politely asking the shopkeeper, ”Is there any mail for us?”

The shopkeeper, occupied by her phone, nodded and took out a letter, tossing it onto the counter.

Lumian opened it on the spot and began reading.

”Regarding the matter of Mushu Hospitalʼs associate dean, weʼve communicated with the Sanguine duke and high-level Blessed of the Church of Earth Mother. So far, we havenʼt found anything unusual about Matriarch Roland, and the Blessed havenʼt received any warnings from Earth Mother in this regard.

”Are you wondering if the dean of Mushu Hospital might be the dream manifestation of Earth Mother? We can assure you that it hasnʼt reached that level yet. This is based on divine revelation, so donʼt worry about what the dean of Mushu Hospital is called, unless itʼs Omebella…”

Madam Magician, youʼre quite skilled at telling horror stories too, worthy of being a great writer… Lumian grumbled, continuing to read. ”The name Stiano was quite famous in the Fourth Epoch. His full name is Yuggs Stiano. He was one of the founders of the Moses Ascetic Order, but later left the order and disappeared for a long time. Itʼs said that after the War of the Four Emperors and before the Pale Disaster, He became a true god. Yes, youʼve probably guessed who He is now. Also, remember, when you return to reality, donʼt speak this name in any language with supernatural power.”

Itʼs really the God of Steam and Machinery.. I actually added a true god on WeChat, and He even helped create a mini-program… Heʼs quite friendly and approachable… I wonder how Anthony would react if he knew that was the true god he once believed in, and probably still has some faith in. Would his emotional changes break through a Spectatorʼs instinctual control? Lumian stuffed the reply letter into the Travelerʼs Bag.

Next, he took out his phone and sent a WeChat message to Anderson Hood: ”Why donʼt you turn yourself in?”

After three or four minutes, ”A name that leaves a deep impression on you” replied: ”Over the years, there havenʼt been many people who could confuse and surprise me for a while. Youʼre now one of them.

”Are you planning to report clues about Danitzʼs death to the police?”

Lumian brought the phone close to his mouth and smiled as he said, ”I plan to write the names of all suspects in Danitzʼs murder in a tip-off letter and submit it to the police department, using official power to trouble that person. Hopefully, it will cause him significant trouble. In othersʼ eyes, what the mute did is no different from what you did.

”Since thatʼs the case, why donʼt you just turn yourself in? This way, I wonʼt need to write the tip-off letter.”

These words were quickly converted to text and sent to Anderson Hood.

Anderson Hood promptly replied, ”Are you worried that if you write the tip-off letter, youʼll also be targeted by the authorities? So youʼre instigating me to turn myself in to minimize the risk you need to bear?

”Donʼt worry, the mute mainly made Danitz less vigilant and alert, but didnʼt actually do anything. He left no traces at the scene and used the power of paintings to create a strong alibi. Otherwise, as Danitzʼs roommate who reported to the police just hours after the incident, I would have been the most suspicious person and would have been found out long ago.

”That person is also very cautious and didnʼt leave any effective clues. However, troubling him a bit, distracting his attention, and making the police truly notice this name is not a bad idea.

”Go ahead and report it, just donʼt mention my name.”

Lumian clicked his tongue and walked back to the cashier, saying to the shopkeeper, ”Can you help me write a letter?”

Seeing the shopkeeper raise her head to look at him, causing even the bright sunlight outside to be blocked by clouds, Lumian self-deprecatingly smiled and said, ”Iʼm illiterate. I canʼt write.”

The shopkeeper smiled slightly and asked, ”What do you want to write?”

Lumian thought for a few seconds and replied, ”Danitzʼs death is related to Zaratulstra. He murdered Danitz.”

The shopkeeper put down her phone, took out paper and pen, and quickly wrote down this paragraph. Finally, she asked, ”How many copies?”

”Three,” Lumian reduced the quantity to the minimum.