CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: THE ENEMY IN THE SHADOWS, I IN THE LIGHT

Noticing Sun Yan’s change in expression, Raymond and Henry exchanged a look. Both were seasoned officers, and naturally perceptive in psychology. It was clear Sun Yan knew something about this matter.

If they could get Sun Yan’s help, this case might be handled quite well.

Henry knew Sun Yan needed money and quickly said, "Father Jackson, the financial situation in Jinshui District is much better than in our Shajiao District. If you’re willing to assist the police, Raymond can advance an expert consultation fee to you."

Raymond nodded in agreement: "Yes, five thousand US Dollars, what do you think, Mr. Jackson?"

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

At that moment, the notebook in Sun Yan’s pocket began to vibrate.

Sun Yan, having long understood the patterns, knew this meant a new task had appeared. With Raymond and Henry coming to him with money, it had directly triggered the prerequisite for the bounty task.

Even as an exorcist, it’s not every time you encounter a big spender like Chen Xing. Five thousand US Dollars for one action is quite a good income.

But for Sun Yan, the most important thing was the task reward. After some thought, he nodded and agreed, "Alright, give me the money, I’ll help you."

Raymond immediately took out a not-so-thick envelope from his pocket, containing exactly five thousand US Dollars. It was clear they were prepared.

"Mr. Jackson, let’s head to Saint Anna City now. The suspect’s condition is not looking good; the doctor said his vital signs are too weak and he could die at any moment. If you want to get any useful information from him, it’s best to do it sooner rather than later," Raymond said seriously.

"I need to prepare. This situation isn’t simple, give me the hospital address, and you guys head back first. I’ll be there soon."

"Alright, thank you."

Watching as Henry and Raymond drove away, Sun Yan’s expression suddenly became grave.

"Chen Xing didn’t tell me the truth, he definitely hid something. Who on earth did he offend in Thailand that has such a grudge to send a Black Magic Master from Southeast Asia all the way to North America to find him? That damned guy," Sun Yan cursed softly, then strode into the main house.

For the fifty thousand US Dollars from Chen Xing this time, he really threw himself into it. As the person who helped Chen Xing remove the Black Magic, stepping in meant getting involved, essentially making an enemy of the Black Magic Master.

Sun Yan originally thought that the opponent being far away in Southeast Asia didn’t have the ability to perform magic across such a distance, let alone find Chen Xing in the vast land of North America. Helping remove the Black Magic was seemingly without repercussions.

But now that this Black Magic Master had hurried to Saint Anna City, not only making a move on Chen Xing again, it seemed Sun Yan, the one who screwed up his plan, wouldn’t escape punishment either.

The feeling was like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows watching him, making Sun Yan extremely uncomfortable, as if a chill was stabbing his back.

"Could he have already gotten my information from Chen Xing before performing the Black Magic? Wouldn’t that mean my place is exposed, and if this Black Magic Master wanted, he could come after me at any time?"

Sun Yan muttered to himself, rapidly making numerous assumptions in his mind.

Southeast Asian Black Magic Masters have always been deceptive and ruthless. Their methods in casting spells are invisible, making them impossible to guard against.

Even with protective magical artifacts on him, Sun Yan didn’t dare say he was fully confident in defending against a hidden enemy’s surprise attack.

He reached for his notebook to check.

Bounty Task: Black Magic Combat

Task Difficulty: ★☆ (Dangerous)

Task Description: As a Black Magic Master who worshiped an Evil God for mana, when Black Magic begins, the master endures the ’revenge’ backlash. If the magic fails, death will reverse, and someone must be sacrificed to appease the Evil God’s ’revenge’. You are entangled in this, and now he has come.

Task Requirement: Eliminate the Black Magic Master

Task Reward: Soul-Calling Banner

Recalling the last time when he received the task of exploring the truth behind the door, dealing with the false Yin Immortal Master Hui, that task’s difficulty was only one star. This task’s difficulty being higher speaks volumes about its danger, and there’s a real risk of death.

"There’s even a connection to the Evil God, this is troubling. I need to take the initiative, work with the police to pull that guy out, or I’ll be too passive."

Sun Yan went to his room and took out the General Sun Mask and General Enhancing Puppet from the drawer.

This time, when going to Dongmu Town for business, he hadn’t expected to encounter any malevolent presence and did not bring all his magical artifacts.

Although he accepted a last-minute exorcism task, fortunately, the Evil Spirit in the river wasn’t too powerful, and he could easily handle it with the Ghost Torturing Stick.

But now his opponent had become a Black Magic Master, who had gained power from an Evil God, so Sun Yan had to go all out, retrieve all his assets to prevent being caught off guard.

"Luna, I’m going out once again. Please take care of the house for the next few days. If any strangers come in, just pretend you don’t know. Don’t reveal yourself and get caught,"

As he passed by the hallway mirror, Sun Yan instructed, and the mirror immediately displayed Luna’s image. She asked worriedly, "Mr. Jack, are you in trouble? Is it dangerous?"

"It’s not that dangerous, I’m not that easy to kill. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of the house and leave first."

Sun Yan waved goodbye, locked the door, and quickly drove to Saint Anna City.

He needed to gather more useful information from Chen Xing’s mouth before he stopped breathing.

...

Jinshui District, Maria Hospital.

Led by Raymond, Sun Yan walked into an intensive care unit. Outside its door stood two armed white police officers, allowing no idle people inside, demonstrating how seriously the police were taking this.

Upon seeing Chen Xing lying on the hospital bed, even having seen photos before, Sun Yan was still shocked by his current physical condition.

Originally, Chen Xing had a handsome face and a standard model physique, standing at 185 cm tall with a well-built body, possessing a certain charisma that attracted many wealthy women.

But now his limbs and torso were swollen like a water-filled toad, and his skin was covered with huge purple-red blisters, giving the impression they could burst open at any moment, spraying pus all over you.

"We’ve never seen symptoms this severe before. More intense than poisoning, allergies, or skin disease, it’s like some new kind of viral flu," Raymond said through a mask and goggles, fully equipped in protective gear, to Sun Yan.

For Westerners, being affected by Black Magic seemed no different from a virus, so basic protective measures were in order. After all, no one wanted to turn into this ghostly version of Chen Xing, and if it were contagious, they’d rather be dead.

"Pretty much, ’viral flu’ is an apt description,"

Sun Yan approached the bed, staring at the bloated Chen Xing, whose eyes were too swollen to open. "Such a vicious Black Magic, he’s set on taking your life after a loss."

Hearing Sun Yan’s voice, Chen Xing, with consciousness almost muddled, seemed to have a sudden burst of clarity, forcing open his eyes and firmly grabbing Sun Yan’s wrist, hoarsely pleading, "Sun, Sun... save me, save me, save."

"Quickly tell me what you’ve been up to these days. Have you had contact with any unfamiliar Asians? Also, who did you truly offend in Thailand? You must tell the truth this time, or else I can’t help you, and you’re doomed to die," Sun Yan lowered his head and said sternly.