In Li Xin’s Night Patrol file, Luo Jin mentioned an incredibly impressive investigative ability. Christie initially thought it might be an exaggeration, but he actually managed to uncover some information they had painstakingly gathered in such a short time.

“Decades ago, the Gourmet Association experienced internal turmoil, leading to a split that formed the Dark Cuisine Association, which fed on human organs. This association was purged by the Gourmet Association in collaboration with other secret organizations. It was believed to have been completely eradicated, but judging by the methods, it’s likely the Dark Cuisine Association is reviving. Of course, this is just a possibility for now.”

Li Xin felt a wave of nausea, “What’s their motive?”

“Gourmets also follow a certain path, healing their bodies and souls through spiritual ability cooking to gain wish power and advance. It’s a complementary process, but it’s very slow and requires others’ causal power. Some gourmets found an alternative path by directly seizing others’ wish power contained within their bodies. The specific rituals and processes are unclear, but they ultimately manifest in the form of gourmet dishes. It’s said that dark cuisine can bring supreme pleasure and enjoyment to those who consume it, making them addicted and even developing a fascination with human organs,” Christie explained.

Suddenly, Li Xin thought of something and his eyes lit up, “Could it be?”

Christie nodded, “That’s right, Anthony’s behavior was not simply post-drunk violence, but a reaction to consuming dark cuisine.”

Those skilled with a knife are not only doctors but also chefs, damn.

“The Gourmet Association has already sent someone, at an elder level, and they’ve opened a restaurant in Ivory Bay, but we can’t get in touch with them.” Christie felt a bit troubled, as the secret organization had its own system and was not influenced much by secular powers; if they weren’t interested, there was no chance of meeting them.

“Is it the Lanuo Ivory Bay Restaurant?”

“Yes, you should have felt the prowess of the gourmets. It’s said that dark cuisine is even more terrifying.” Christie knew that Li Xin had been there with Simmons.

“Perhaps I have a way, that old fellow, oh, was it Bocuse?”

“Paul Bocuse, one of the top five senior elders of the Gourmet Association, participated in the top-notch gourmet eradication of that year. Don’t underestimate them; their hidden power is unique, and they are adept at healing, so both secret organizations and secular forces maintain good relations with them rather than offending them. Don’t think about using force, even Achilles wouldn’t do that.” Christie reminded.

Li Xin smiled wryly, “I’m just a humble Night Patrol, I don’t dare to offend anyone. I mean, he gave me a spoon, said I could contact him anytime. Huh, where’s my spoon?”

Where’s the spoon?

Within one second, Christie went from heaven to hell, experiencing intense emotional turbulence.

“Sister, what’s wrong?” Li Xin observed Christie’s heaving chest and flushed face.

“Why didn’t you mention such an important thing earlier!” Christie gritted her silver teeth. If it weren’t for the wrong place, she would have tackled him to the ground for a good bite.

“That dark restaurant is expensive as hell, one meal would bankrupt me. I’d be crazy to go eat there!” Li Xin spread his hands, indicating he wouldn’t be fooled.

“You don’t have to pay!” Christie really felt like pinching Li Xin but restrained herself. “Where’s the spoon? That’s a VIP token of the Gourmet Association, only elders can bestow it. There aren’t many circulating in the whole of Dao Yuan. Such a valuable item, and you…”

“Oh, I just remembered, I lent it to Celestia. That girl borrows things without knowing to return them, quite unlike me.” Li Xin suddenly recalled and slapped his thigh.

“Haha, the young lady of the George Family, eh? You two have a good relationship?”

“It’s alright, we’re friends. She’s got a straightforward personality, but I didn’t expect her to covet my spoon,” Li Xin said.

Christie didn’t delve deeper, “The Gourmet Association’s tokens recognize people, so it’s useless for her to have it. Retrieve it as soon as possible, then arrange a meeting between us and Elder Bocuse. We can’t force things; we must follow the protocols of the Gourmet Association to book a meal. Regardless of whether it’s related to the Dark Cuisine Association, Elder Bocuse’s assistance will greatly benefit the case.”

Li Xin nodded, “Number One leans towards enjoying dark cuisine. Damn it, Number Two wants to create artificial humans. Could it be for the sake of the Earth Mother Goddess’s authority? If that’s the case, could a hidden power or church be involved? They first appeared five years ago, disappeared for a while, and have been frequenting again for more than a year. Is there something fishy here?”

“What are your thoughts?” Christie asked.

“I feel the artificial human experiments weren’t going well. I heard Travis mention it, the experiment had not succeeded at the time. If it did succeed, it might infringe on that authority.”

“The divine authority is not so easily infringed upon. The strife over authority began in the Third Age, became intensely heated in the Fourth Age, and ultimately led to Ragnarok. Of course, this holds a strong blasphemous significance in religious terms,” Christie explained. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Sister knows so much, my admiration for you has increased,” Li Xin immediately turned into some creature. “Number Two began experimenting in Hedan five years ago, then disappeared for a few years, recently reappearing to continue experiments. There must be some breakthrough progress, but as we can see now, it’s still unsuccessful. That’s strange. Why don’t they experiment in a safer place and then come back? It’s a bit risky, even with the protection of a demigod. After all, they’re on the Earth Mother Goddess’s territory, and the Funeral Attendant is no fool. Unless the experiment must be conducted in Hedan because it provides certain necessary conditions.”

Li Xin muttered his analysis to himself, somehow always especially active in thought when with Christie, and he believed this line of thinking was correct.

At this time, more and more people were arriving in the editorial department, but knowing Christie’s temperament, they didn’t disturb her.

Christie looked outside, “Your idea has some possibility. Whether it’s Number One or Number Two, finding just one is enough for us to gain a voice in our cooperation with Moncalleta. From the Night Patrol’s perspective, I lean more towards targeting Number One, although we won’t ignore intelligence on Number Two.”

Li Xin agreed. Number Two might be targeting the Earth Mother Goddess Court, and frankly, the Night Patrol and Funeral Attendant are only temporary allies. Such an enemy is their own matter, but Number One is utterly detestable, incompatible with the Night Patrol’s beliefs. The actions of the Dark Cuisine Association are even worse than the Fallen.

People can be more malicious than devils.

“Alright, let’s talk business,” Christie said, “When is the third volume due?”

Upon hearing the word “deadline,” Li Xin’s head instantly grew larger. He had been reviewing files to the point of becoming unrecognizable, leaving no room for writing. As he was about to find an excuse, his eyes suddenly lit up, “There’s a manuscript, but I need your guidance, sister.”

Christie’s face flushed slightly, “No slacking off on the deadline. I’ll come to get it. You go ahead. I have a bunch of things to handle.”

“Alright, sister. Is the Gourmet Association inviting us? The cost will be covered by the Bird Society, right?”

“Covered, now go!”

With the command, Li Xin happily left Christie’s office, greeting everyone along the way. Now, the editorial department held much more respect for Li Xin.

They knew the genuine power of Utopia Mountain’s tales. News comes and goes quickly, easily forgotten, but the spread and discussion of the Utopia Mountain tales only increased. This young man would be the mainstay of the Hex Bird Report in the future, so no one dared to interrupt his discussions with Christie.

Wusu, the editor who befriended Li Xin early on, was naturally familiar, “Ah Xin, you’re really going places, aren’t you being urged to submit your manuscript?”

“Exactly, I’ve been chastised all morning. Creativity requires inspiration; it can’t be summoned on demand. The third volume isn’t much progressed yet. It’ll probably be next week or the week after,” Li Xin quietly said.

“What, really? The editor-in-chief is going to explode.” Wusu walked Li Xin out, whispering, “I heard the editor-in-chief already reported to headquarters for you. That’s definitely a huge merit. Our editor-in-chief is a bit eccentric, but he’s been good to everyone over the years.”

“Are you talking about Christie?”

“Come on, I think you saw it too: Christie’s standing is quite high. Their partnership is just for appearances, given that we’re overseas. Working one in the open and one in secret works better. The editor-in-chief has four wives, all that ‘paying household dues’ would exhaust him. The old brother considers you his own and speaks to you this candidly,” Wusu said, with Old Wu inadvertently revealing his ambition for advancement.

“I know. I owe the old brother for helping me avoid many detours when I first arrived. I’ll continue to seek his guidance in the future.”

“As long as you say that, little brother,” Wusu said, moved, “Let me tell you, your work is incredibly outstanding. You must strike while the iron is hot. If you continue to maintain it, it might be published in all Hex Bird Reports in Dao Yuan. By then, you’ll soar.”

“I wish, but good work needs inspiration,” Li Xin said, shrugging helplessly. Not to mention he has so many things to do, wanting to sprout extra hands for multitasking. Importantly, could the manuscript fee increase some too? Is it easy being a working person?

“Put aside other matters; this is your life’s work,” Wusu reminded, “And don’t worry about the current manuscript fee. Take another step up and then talk to the editor-in-chief. Make your role a bit more clear, after all, it’s all within the same system. It’s not right to bring this up repeatedly, so make it a big one when you do.”

In fact, Li Xin had this plan too. Wusu, someone well-versed in the Bird Report, was truly offering heartfelt advice, which Li Xin appreciated before leaving the Hex Bird Society.

Every time he left the Hex Bird Society, he felt different. Better go back and write something, at least have something to report when Christie comes over. As for the Funeral Attendant’s side, wait for news. Through talks with Travis, he realized that plans might have been made for a long time, just lacking execution rights. Now, with Prince’s endorsement and two nobles as spearheads, he will certainly take action. On this matter, Li Xin felt it was wise to remain involved from behind the scenes.

A horse-drawn carriage clattered, slowing down at the Bird Society entrance. Li Xin waved and got on the carriage…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep