Kathy arrived at the Cat's Tail Bar in her private car and unsurprisingly saw Luo Jin.
Luo Jin drank alone, his face showing no expression. As soon as Kathy entered the bar, the drinkers' eyes lit up, but seeing her sit next to Luo Jin, their gazes dimmed quickly.
Ever since Luo Jin hung several drunken troublemakers on the wall as decorations, and the city guards came by and greeted him with nods before closing up the 'artwork,' no one dared to provoke him again.
"Give her a drink," Luo Jin tapped on the bar counter.
Kathy took off her coat, revealing her attractive figure, immediately drawing a bunch of heated stares. The courage of alcohol quickly evaporated as Luo Jin's cold gaze shot over, making everyone feel as if a ghost was staring at them. They sobered up instantly and hurriedly lowered their heads.
Kathy placed her bag beside her and smiled slightly:
"I knew you'd be here. Lin Fei and Li Xin have put together a great spread, you're really missing out."
Luo Jin nodded, "Boss, slice some more of the ham I stored here," he said, looking at Kathy, "This was a gift from the little guy, and it makes a great snack with drinks."
The boss nodded with a grunt. If he didn't know this guy's identity, he would have loved to poison the ham. It was good ham, but as a bar owner, he couldn't tolerate someone storing it here.
"Thin slices, that's the authentic way to eat it. Your knife skills aren't that great," Luo Jin commented with a frown as he watched the bartender slice the ham.
The bartender...
Unable to beat him and unable to provoke him, he, as a bartender, had no real knife skills to boast of and could only awkwardly smile as he slowly sliced thin pieces.
"Hmm, this tastes different. It's rich yet not greasy, and the more you chew, the more fragrant it gets," Kathy remarked in surprise, "Odd, it doesn't taste like the one he gave me."
"This is the last leg. It's been air-dried for five years. The flavor comes with age," Luo Jin boasted with a hint of pride.
Kathy was displeased. After all the times she called him little brother, he didn't share the good stuff, "Boss, slice another plate."
"You got it!" The boss was eager to finish slicing quickly. This person loved breaking the rules too much. Just seeing that leg every day got on his nerves, and he was even forced to buy a special slicing knife because of him.
Eating slices of ham and sipping strong liquor really was a unique experience. Kathy didn't usually like this kind of whiskey with its peaty flavor; she preferred fruit wine, and nobles were into grape wine—a trend started by Governor Luthor.
Night Patrol loved strong liquor with a wild abandonment, and with ham, it indeed felt different. Her drink quickly emptied, and the boss, keenly picking up the vibe, was about to refill it when he caught Luo Jin's warning look.
"One drink is plenty," Luo Jin said mildly.
"Boss, can I get off work now?" Kathy playfully cooed like a little cat.
"Off work or not, no more drinks. You can eat more ham, get her some water."
...
Li Xin, a book enthusiast, had already fallen into a deep sleep. The boring biography full of embellishments was of no practical use, unfriendly to future generations.
Knock knock knock…
Summoned by the Twelve Zodiac Star Disc, Li Xin felt the difference between an individual summon and this star disc summon; the knocking rhythm was different, individual summons felt more urgent, while the star disc summon was more rhythmic and profound.
Accompanied by light, the magnificence of the starry dome above, although he had been there several times, it still felt grand. Li Xin took his seat.
Miss Aries and Mr. Cancer had already arrived, and after Li Xin's arrival, Mr. Taurus also arrived.
Initially, everyone didn't take the Round Table Conference too seriously, but somehow it now had a different feeling.
Miss Aries glanced at Li Xin, but, for some reason, avoided his gaze. This detail wasn't missed by Christian. When he saw the mark in front of Miss Aries, his pupils contracted, "Congratulations, Miss Aries, on successfully unlocking the Second Life Star."
At this point, Cantona and Li Xin also noticed, both offering congratulations, yet Miss Aries seemed quite embarrassed, not particularly joyful.
Estella didn't know how to be happy; she inexplicably unlocked the Second Life Star, which should have been out of reach but was activated recently. The power of "Bountiful Gift" had noticeably strengthened.
Chris and Keli were very pleased; being a top-tier Magic Ring among the Divine Relics, the more advanced it was, the harder it was to comprehend. This inexplicable activation led her to associate it with recent praises from the Royal Capital, which didn't rightfully belong to her, making it hard to meet Mr. Gemini's gaze.
Christian inside was somewhat amazed; last time he saw Miss Aries, she was far from awakening her Second Life Star, yet in the blink of an eye, she had succeeded—truly deserving as the only female in the Twelve Zodiac Star Disc.
…?
"Gemini, why is your Life Star motionless?" Christian couldn't help but ask, what on earth had this guy been doing all day.
Li Xin helplessly rubbed his nose; it wasn't like he wanted it either. Unable to enter the Holy Land, the side effects of the dice were intense. He truly didn't know how to activate it.
"Everyone's circumstances are different; maybe Gemini's opportunity hasn't arrived yet. Being impatient won't help," Cantona remarked.
"Mr. Taurus, have your injuries not healed?" Miss Aries inquired.
Cantona smiled wryly, "I don't know what's gone wrong. Lately, I've had it tough, and I'm unsure if I can hold on till the next meeting."
"Why don't you share with us, Mr. Taurus? I just recently got through a rough patch with Miss Aries's help," Li Xin suggested.
"Please, Mr. Gemini, don't say that. It's embarrassing," Estella said humbly, "I didn't help much either."
Christian listened, absorbing the weight of the exchange; these two had contact beyond their official capacity, and their tone suggested Gemini's affairs might not be so significant.
"My safe house was discovered again, now I'm hiding and can't recover properly," Cantona admitted.
"Mr. Taurus, it's simple then, you have a traitor close to you, and it's someone very dear to you," Christian pointed out.
"Mr. Cancer, you know I can detect lies; how could I let such a person stay by my side?" Cantona shook his head.
"Mr. Taurus, your strength lies in surprise. Once known, it's easily countered, and the opponent likely exploits this to win your trust, more easily accomplished by someone already trusted," Christian said sharply, "One must avoid overconfidence."
Silence followed at the Round Table Conference. Cantona…deep down, he already had his suspicions, someone he dearly shouldn't be betrayed by.
"Mr. Taurus, Mr. Cancer offers a possibility. Such matters are better believed than doubted," Li Xin stated.
Cantona nodded, understanding that even opposing strategies could help escape his immediate turmoil. The only person who could predict his most hidden safe house was Aili.
The deputy he had mentored single-handedly.
The motive was irrelevant to Cantona; all he needed was to make a decision.
"Gentlemen, my woes are that I find myself unable to enter the Holy Land. Currently, I see no way of advancing the Divine Relic, have you heard of such a situation?" Li Xin inquired.
Since Cancer had brought it up, he decided to present the issue.
"Can't enter?" Christian frowned, "Is the Gate of Truth open?"
"Yes, but I was ejected," Li Xin shrugged, a tad embarrassed.
"Each person's Holy Land is distinct. Church definitions vary; my understanding ties it to the Divine Relic, corresponding to a god's domain. Could it be an issue with your Divine Relic?" Christian speculated.
"I thought it didn't require Divine Relics; Spiritual Ability alone grants access to the Holy Land?" Li Xin asked.
"That's correct, likely the force your Spiritual Ability harbors ties to a deity," Christian explained, "Human Spiritual Ability awakening allows Divine Relic accommodation post-Ragnarok when gods cease terrestrial visits. There may be secrets here, unknown to all, or perhaps your corresponding force is defunct, or maybe your luck is just poor."
Li Xin: …
"Mr. Cancer, the Holy Land isn't the sole path. Your ability is remarkable," Estella encouraged, now feeling even more self-conscious.
Li Xin nodded with a smile, "Thank you. Recently, has anyone heard of the term 'Hidden Paths' before? I've encountered it, just curious if anyone else has."
"Hidden Paths?"
"Are there any other special paths besides those of Knightly Path, Law Enforcer, Preacher, and Divine Favored?" Miss Aries shook her head.
"These sound like four career classes. Do they also serve specific functions?" Li Xin inquired.
"The Holy Land isn't the only path, and your abilities are anything but ordinary," Estella offered, growing more self-conscious.
"The secrets of the Hidden Paths…" Cantona pondered without conclusion.
"""
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