Transcendent Dawn

The winter of the Federated calendar year 279 came earlier than expected.

Early morning.

Su Lu put on a coat, exhaled a puff of white breath, went to the edge of the garden, fetched his daily newspaper and milk delivery, and returned to the living room.

Mary had already prepared breakfast, which was toasted bread with a slight char and pan-fried bacon.

Hallock was languidly laying on the carpet, his doggy face brimming with the expression of utter disinterest.

During his time as a foster, many of his hobbies were prohibited, and his wanton destruction was met with swift punishment, a hobby he no longer dared to pursue.

Those good days with Isaac were long gone.

What was worse, he couldn’t outsmart his new owner, and had been branded with a contract, forcing him to obediently follow commands.

“Hmm… There’s been an increase in mysterious propaganda in the newspapers lately, coupled with the addition of several folklore sections… Is this laying the groundwork for something in the future? A controlled release perhaps?”

Su Lu sipped his milk as he unfolded the newspaper.

Just as he was about to make a bacon sandwich with some fruit puree, suddenly, the doorbell rang.

Mary wiped her hands and went to answer the door, welcoming the guests into the living room.

“Mr. Sean!”

The visitors were Duran and Wood, who were wearing black trench coats. Shedding their usual disheveled dresses, they bowed respectfully. “Our boss… desires a meeting with you!”

“The leader of the Shark Meeting?”

Su Lu, calmly eating his homemade sandwich, had a quick train of thought racing through his mind –

‘The leader of the Shark Meeting…’Tiger Shark’ Michael! Renowned for being brutal, he severally slit the throats of many rivals and fed them to sharks in the sea…’

“Did you… leak information about me?”

He asked casually.

“Sir… Master… We are truly sorry…”

Even though the weather was cold, Duran was sweating profusely, “It was guessed by our leader… After all, our activities have become increasingly conspicuous.”

“When did this happen?” Having anticipated this, Su Lu asked again.

“Half a month ago… He elevated our status within the gang and ordered us to serve you wholeheartedly!”

Duran hurriedly answered.

‘Does this seem… sort of like a goodwill gesture?’

‘Being a gang leader, he surely knows more about the Mysterious World and fears the Occupational Person…’

‘Although… even if he reported to the local authorities like The Eleventh Bureau, I have no fear…’

‘Perhaps, it’s an opportunity to officially join the circle of Transcendents in the city.’

Su Lu finished his breakfast and stood up, “As it happens… I have no appointments today.”

Of course, the main reason he agreed was due to the sensation of Soul Burning having greatly diminished, and his injuries were nearly healed.

“Yes, please come with me!”

Duran and Wood drove a carriage and delivered Su Lu to the dock district.

This was the dirtiest and most chaotic area of Lore City, home to countless paupers, bankrupt individuals, and laborers. This population was so transient that it was hard to accurately determine how many people were living here.

Because of this broad fluidity and seclusion, it had naturally become the first choice location for gangs.

“Master, we are here.”

Duran escorted Su Lu into a building in the dock area.

This seemed to be a residential complex with people frequently coming in and out. Su Lu touched his forehead and felt numerous watcher’s eyes on him.

Maybe, the child playing in the dirty water nearby could be a lookout for some gang.

‘Such a gang… No wonder its vitality is so tenacious.’

He thoughtfully followed Duran into the building and arrived on a certain floor.

Here, numerous rugged henchmen were patrolling, and the level of security had noticeably increased.

Before one of the reception rooms, a burly white man was already waiting.

He had blazing red hair and muscled chest like a block of steel. He was like a fierce tiger. Seeing Su Lu, he immediately came forward and extended his hand with warm enthusiasm.

Su Lu shook hands with him and immediately felt a frown forming on his face.

He seemed to smell a strong scent of blood and resentment. It was clear that this boss of the Shark Meeting, Michael, had taken far more than a dozen lives.

“Please, come in!”

Michael ushered Su Lu into the reception room, an office decorated with a strong martial flavor.

There was a shark sculpture on the wall, underneath which were two crossed swords, and a display shelf held grotesquely shaped firearms which did not appear to be fakes.

“I’ve heard… Mr. Sean, that you’re an expert in the field of the Mystical? You’ve solved problems for many people?”

Michael sat down on a sofa, speaking very directly.

“I’m just a folklore scholar who has conducted a little bit of research in some areas…”

Su Lu maintained a slight smile.

“Your skills are worthy of being partnered with stronger forces, rather than waste on likes of those two good-for-nothings, Duran and Wood… I apologize… I don’t mean to belittle them, but their abilities are really just average…”

Michael took out a cigar for himself and offered one to Su Lu with a nod, but was refused.

“So… what’s next…” Su Lu interlaced his fingers and asked curiously.

“I want to hire Mr. Sean as a consultant for the Shark Meeting. We pay ten Golden Dragons a month. And when something… umm… mystical or special comes up, depending on the advice and circumstances, we can increase it. What do you think?”

Michael invited with sincerity.

You could tell that this man was ambitious and knew a little about the Mystical world.

He understood that in today’s world, one must possess certain transcendent powers, or else one will find it difficult to move even an inch.

“Not enough!”

Su Lu took a sip of his coffee and shook his head nonchalantly.

“I heard from Duran that Mr. Sean has always been looking for gatherings of his kind?”

Michael looked at the placid Su Lu, knowing that ordinary money couldn’t move him, and played his final card, “I happen to know of one, and I can vouch for Mr. Sean. You know, the figures in the Mysterious World are very cautious… especially the gatherings, they need the guarantee of local forces, of course… unofficial ones.”

In reality, there would still be a certain probation period.

However, Su Lu had already gained a reputation in certain circles of Lore City and had lived there for a while, thus meeting the requirements.

“Very well.”

Su Lu nodded with restraint, agreeing to this condition.

What about becoming a gang consultant? He didn’t care about that in the slightest.

After all, he was currently the folklore scholar Sean, an identity that he was just waiting to discard once his injuries were healed!

“Then we are friends from now on!”

Michael’s face softened at once and he shook hands with Su Lu again, “Rest assured, I will arrange things promptly. Do I continue to send Duran for messaging?”

He had made a decision. If Su Lu were to become annoyed with Duran, then he would immediately order him to be dumped to the bottom of the sea!

After all, he had done this quite a few times.

Su Lu frowned, sensing a hint of murderous intent, and soon understood what was going on.

“You can switch to Wood… The Goddess of Light teaches us that life is precious.”

“Alright… okay…”

Michael was taken aback, seemingly unable to fathom that Su Lu, this wild Transcendent, actually believed in the Goddess of Light!