Sixty: Two Devils

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I took the kettle handed to me by Le Gang; inside was rich, aromatic coffee whose fragrance instantly revived me. We continued to wait patiently, anticipating the unfolding of Le Gang’s plan.

We were tucked away in a corner on the fourth floor—Genoa Street, at the “Nihilism” Buddhist Hall. This place had once been a popular Buddhist temple in the last century, consisting of a small courtyard with three simple Eastern-style huts. Ironically, the hall had now been transformed into an eccentric bar. Red lights flowed like liquid over every corner, while Gothic-dressed patrons gathered in small groups, drinking and chatting in what should have been a quiet, secluded space. A band played noisy, chaotic songs.

This was the lower level, yet visitors included high-ranking nobles.

The owner of the “Nihilism” bar was Bella.

A thin old man approached us. He lifted his mask, and I recognized him—it was Tanqi, the half-demon stranger who had ambushed Bella and laid an ambush for us at the Pan-American Pyramid.

I asked Le Gang, “Is he the assassin you hired to kill the Regent? With only the three of us?”

Tanqi looked troubled and said, “No, I’m only an advisor. If I hadn’t already formed a contract with Le Gang, I wouldn’t have released that demon.”

I was even more confused and asked, “What exactly is going on?”

At that moment, I saw a group of girls in red raincoats entering the bar. They varied in height, weight, and beauty, ranging from about thirteen to eighteen years old. Bella wore a striking red camisole, revealing slender, pale skin. She smiled and led the girls toward the backyard. Some patrons tried to harass these alluring girls, but Bella’s henchmen mercilessly twisted their bones.

The scene sent chills down my spine, as if I were witnessing a ritual of the Ixian Dark God. I knew my suspicion was baseless—Bella was merely entertaining a group of young friends she had made—but the eerie temple, the strange music, the dark red lighting, and Bella’s mysterious smile made my stomach churn.

Le Gang said, “Stay hidden. Don’t let Bella or anyone else discover you.”

I drank from the Water of Amon and quietly slipped past the crowd. Le Gang transformed into a black panther and silently leapt onto a low parasol tree, which overlooked the courtyard. Tanqi flew up onto the wall, crouching on the roof, blending in with the bricks like a chameleon.

The girls stood neatly in a row; no one else was in the courtyard. Bella spoke, “I know, I know you all suffer pain and torment, struggling for your lives, hating your fate. Black Coffin is a strict and merciless place. Among you are poor children from the lower levels deprived of education and care, some are ugly ducklings bullied in middle schools, and some are nobles whose parents remain slaves to other nobles. Tell me, do you suffer?”

They all answered, “Yes, we suffer greatly!”

Bella held a black scythe covered in human faces. Where had it come from?

She took the hand of a short, plump girl and brought her close. She kissed the girl, and suddenly the girl began to cough up blood. After a minute, she stood up, now slender and charming, her eyes noticeably larger. The girl exclaimed, “I... my wishes have come true!”

The girls’ eyes gleamed as they clasped their hands in prayer. “Ixian Goddess, please grant us your gospel.”

I shivered and climbed the tree, moving closer to Le Gang. I whispered, “Madam Yaochi was certain the three Ixian sisters had been dispersed.”

Le Gang replied, “That sealed one deceived us all. The Ixian sisters sealed her power, but she had long chosen Bella, making her a puppet to secure her escape.”

I recalled the earlier events—Bella had suddenly appeared at Michael’s mansion, eagerly offering to help him collect all the goddess statues at her own expense, paying twice, even following us on our wild expedition. Had she already been manipulated then? Or perhaps when Tanqi abducted her, he tampered with her?

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Le Gang said, “Tanqi confessed to me that he obstructed us from obtaining the evil god statues to protect the seals on the three Ixian sisters. He kidnapped Bella to purify the evil spirit corrupting her soul, but he failed because of you. When the three statues were reunited, the evil spirit’s power was restored, and after Madam Yaochi banished the sisters, the evil spirit truly possessed Bella.”

I remembered how Bella had changed after that. Once lively and indulgent, she gradually became withdrawn, melancholic, and furtive in her behavior.

I asked, “Why didn’t Madam Yaochi notice?”

Le Gang said, “Because Madam Yaochi was influenced by it too. Subconsciously, she wanted to help this evil spirit escape and never questioned why.”

I asked, “What exactly is this evil spirit?”

Le Gang said, “Tanqi never revealed its name. He feared it so much that even uttering it might alert the spirit. This spirit is cruel by nature, drawing power from the souls of dead girls.”

I said, “A perversion.”

Le Gang nodded. “Yes, like Missouri—a mentally twisted demon.”

I said, “She’s not the Ixian Goddess of the Mayans. I saw the memories of the three Ixian sisters—they said the Ixian Goddess was impersonated. That evil spirit even...”

Le Gang smiled. “Even the three ancient ancestors were powerless against her. Only by sacrificing their own lives could they seal her.”

I said, “Even demons consider her dangerous and want to stop her escape. You... this was part of your plan, wasn’t it?”

Le Gang answered, “I won’t hide it. Tanqi confessed everything honestly back at the Pan-American Pyramid.”

I said, “So you facilitated her release, planning to use her to kill Missouri?”

Le Gang pressed the coffee pot into my arms. “I’ve been waiting for revenge, and now there’s a glimmer of hope. I have to take this risk. I don’t believe in God, but I believe my brother’s spirit will grant me the fortune of vengeance.”

I said, “This is reckless. How can you be sure the evil spirit is as strong as you think? How can you be sure it will target the Regent?”

Le Gang replied, “Based on my knowledge of Missouri and the situation, my dearest friend, whatever you witness next, do not act rashly.”

At that moment, Bella called out, “Through your sacred death in past lives, you can pass blessings to your next incarnation. Only by overcoming the fear of death can you be freed from suffering and attain the happiness you desire. Rebecca is beautiful now, no longer fat or ugly, because she trusted me in her past life and entrusted her life to me. That is her reward.”

The girls were moved and said, “Yes, Lady Ix.”

Bella said, “Very good. I feel your sincerity and faith. Tonight I will show mercy and save two of you. Who is willing to offer their life to me with the Ixian Scythe?”

Two girls rushed forward, the first reaching Bella. She handed the scythe to one, who silently recited the Ixian incantation and ended her blossoming life. Then the other collapsed into Bella’s arms, blood staining Bella’s evening gown.

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I suppressed my urge to save them, cursing my cowardice and selfishness. Le Gang calmly glanced at me.

Bella carefully laid the two bodies on the ground. The girls knelt in reverence, praying devoutly, praising the two brave believers, and vowing to emulate them.

Bella continued, “But courage alone is not enough. You must accumulate merit. When you return, support each other and bring more lost and suffering souls to me, guiding them to receive my teachings and blessings.”

She wanted to kill more, to devour more souls. Essentially, she was no different from the Regent.

Yet she was not my enemy. The Regent wanted our lives.

I heard voices outside the wall. “I smell blood. Lady Tifon, do you smell it too?”

Bella’s eyes widened in surprise. She quickly covered her face and turned away, but suddenly her body weakened, her legs gave out, and she fell to the ground. I immediately recognized this as a powerful psychic attack—Missouri had arrived!

Le Gang had informed him to come, but why was he so certain Missouri would show up?

Because... Missouri wanted a scapegoat. He wished to use another cult to cover up the crimes of his own Baptism sect. He wanted to maintain his flawless image and completely dispel all doubts from the Elders and the nobility.

Le Gang had chosen the perfect moment. He used me to expose the Baptism sect and employed the Ixian cult to lure Missouri into a trap. Missouri would not suspect the evil spirit inhabiting Bella; he would only be grateful for Le Gang’s cunning and understanding.

Missouri was bound to appear, and he would carefully select witnesses to see Bella’s crimes.

The Elders were shrewd and might notice the differences between the two, but none had witnessed the baptism ceremony or Bella’s preaching firsthand.

For Missouri, this was a godsend—too convenient.

The Regent leapt over the wall, landing in the courtyard. His face lit up with delight that quickly faded. He shouted, “Bella, so it’s you!”

Then Tifon and Bochi floated down one after another. Five arbiters and twenty rangers charged in through the front gate. I quickly cloaked myself with shadows to maintain the drug’s effect.

Was Le Gang too optimistic? With three vampire Elders and this powerful reinforcement, could Bella’s evil spirit hold out?

Tifon looked at Bella with a complicated expression. She immediately understood what had happened, hesitating between protecting her adopted daughter or distancing herself.

Missouri pointed at Bella, scolding sharply, “Since the tragedy, for the safety of all Black Coffin residents, I have tirelessly sought the truth to clear the many slanders against me and find the real culprit! Bella, daughter of Tifon, you! You are the mastermind behind Sephoros and Modi! You are the vile, ruthless scum who murders innocent mortals!”